Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no chairman’s announcements.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of the Director of Finance

Purpose of report

The report presents the Internal Audit Progress report for 2021/22

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the progress with the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits.

Resolved

(1)            That the progress of the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits be noted.

The Director of Finance submitted a report presenting the Internal Audit Progress report for 2021/22.

The Chief Internal Auditor and Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer responded to questions from the Committee, regarding Appendix 3  - “Executive Summaries of finalised reports”  on the status of outstanding policies and training on Data Protection. Members were informed that there was an action plan and GDPR was a high priority within this plan.

In response to Members’ requests for more reassurance of progress via  an update to be circulated by the end of the month and a further update be given at the March committee meeting, the Chief Internal Auditor confirmed that a progress report setting out actions had been completed or a clear explanation why it had not from lead officers and managers would be submitted to the March meeting. 

Resolved

(1)          That the progress of the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To receive a report to ask Members to consider the following:

• Changes to be incorporated to the draft statement of accounts.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to agree that:

1.1         The revised Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) in the Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 (Appendix 1), be endorsed along with necessary changes to supporting statements and notes.

1.2         Once the final audit opinion is received the Director Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in case the Chairman is unavailable), be authorised to sign the accounts.

1.3         It be noted that, if any material changes to the accounts are required, then an additional committee meeting would be convened to consider the changes.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration the revised Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) in the Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 along with necessary changes to supporting statements and notes be endorsed.

(2)          That it be agreed that on receipt of the final audit opinion, the Director of Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in case the Chairman is unavailable), be authorised to sign the accounts.

(3)          That it be noted that, if any material changes to the accounts are required, then an additional committee meeting would be convened to consider the changes.

The Director of Finance submitted a report asking Members to consider changes to be incorporated to the draft statement of accounts.

Ernst & Young, the council's External Auditors (EY) provided an update to the committee, informing Members that evidence to questions has not been received. The Committee requested that  an item be added to the March agenda if these remained unanswered or if new questions were raised by EY.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration the revised Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) in the Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 along with necessary changes to supporting statements and notes be endorsed.

(2)          That it be agreed that on receipt of the final audit opinion, the Director of Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in case the Chairman is unavailable), be authorised to sign the accounts.

(3)          That it be noted that, if any material changes to the accounts are required, then an additional committee meeting would be convened to consider the changes.

Report of Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2020/2021. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To consider and comment on the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021 be noted

The Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report to consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2020/2021.

The Head of Legal Services &  Deputy Monitoring Officer confirmed a list of the elements incorporated within the Social Value and Climate elements would be forwarded.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021 be noted

Report of Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To consider and agreed the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member to s the Accounts Audit and Risk Committee.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To agree to recruit an Independent Member to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee.

1.2         To consider and approve the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member as set out at paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2.

1.3         To approve the Background Information (Appendix 1) and Independent Member specification (Appendix 2) and if any amendments are required, to delegate final approval to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.

1.4         To delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to finalise the recruitment pack.  

Resolved

(1)          That the recruitment of an Independent Member to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee be agreed.

(2)          That the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member be approved.

(3)          That the Background Information and Independent Member specification be approved, with final approval delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee,

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to finalise the recruitment pack. 

The Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report requesting the Committee consider and agree the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member.

In response to Members’ comments, the Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer to report back to the committee how and where the post will be advertised.

Resolved

(1)          That the recruitment of an Independent Member to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee be agreed.

(2)          That the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member be approved.

(3)          That the Background Information and Independent Member specification be approved, with final approval delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee,

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to finalise the recruitment pack. 

Report of the Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To submit the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1     To recommend the draft strategies for 2022-23 to Council.

Resolved

(1)               That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategies 2022-23

The Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23.

Resolved

(1)               That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategies 2022-23

To consider and review the Work Programme and Committee training Schedule.

Resolved

(1)          That, subject to “Update on Internal Audit of GDPR” being added to the March meeting, the work programme  and Committee training schedule be noted.

The Committee considered it’s work programme and proposed committee training schedule. As identified under agenda item 7, Internal Audit Progress Report 2021/22,  “Update on Internal Audit of GDPR” would be added to the March meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That, subject to “Update on Internal Audit of GDPR” being added to the March meeting, the work programme  and Committee training schedule be noted.