Agenda and decisions

Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee - Wednesday 15 November 2023 6.30 pm

Venue: Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury, Oxon OX15 4AA

Contact: Natasha Clark or David Rogers, Democratic and Elections Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221534

Media

Items
No.	Item
2.	Declarations of Interest Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Additional documents: Webcast for 2.
3.	Petitions and Requests to Address the Meeting The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting. Additional documents: Webcast for 3.
4.	Minutes PDF 209 KB To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 September 2023. Additional documents: Webcast for 4.
5.	Chairman's Announcements To receive communications from the Chairman. Additional documents: Webcast for 5.
6.	Performance, Finance and Risk Monitoring Report PDF 237 KB Report of Assistant Director – Customer Focus Purpose of report To update the committee on how well the council is managing its Strategic Risks. Recommendations The meeting is recommended: 1.1 To note the Risk Monitoring Report for September 2023. 1.2 To note the Risk Management Strategy 2023 – 24 (appendix 2) Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Leadership Risk Register September 23 , item 6. PDF 623 KB Appendix 2 - Risk Management Strategy 2023-24 , item 6. PDF 334 KB Webcast for 6. Decision: Resolved (1) That the Risk Monitoring Report for September 2023 be noted.
7.	Update on Counter Fraud Annual Plan 2023/24 PDF 407 KB Report of the Assistant Director of Finance and S151 Officer Purpose of report This report presents a summary of activity against the Annual Plan for the Counter-Fraud service at CDC for 2023/24, which was previously presented to the Accounts, Audit & Risk July 2023 committee. The Plan supports the Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy by ensuring that the Council has in place proportionate and effective resources and controls to prevent and detect fraud as well as investigate those matters that do arise. Recommendations The meeting is recommended to: 1.1 Comment and note the summary of activity against the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2023/24. Additional documents: Webcast for 7. Decision: Resolved (1) That the summary of activity against the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2023/24 be noted.
8.	External Audit Progress 2021/22 Verbal update by Ernst & Young Additional documents: Webcast for 8. Decision: Resolved (1) That the verbal update be noted.
9.	Treasury Management Mid Year Review PDF 497 KB View the background to item 9. View the decision for item 9. Report of the Assistant Director of Finance Purpose of report To receive information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2023-24 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice. All treasury management activities undertaken to date during the financial year 2023-24 complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the Council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy, and all Prudential Indicators were met during the reporting period. Over the course of the year, there is an overall Treasury Management forecast underspend of £1.214m compared to the approved budget. Recommendations The meeting is recommended: 1.1 To note the contents of this Treasury Management Mid-Year Review Report. Additional documents: Appendix 1 – Capital Prudential Indicators , item 9. PDF 270 KB Webcast for 9. Decision: Resolved (1) That the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review Report be noted.
10.	Local Code of Corporate Governance PDF 366 KB Report of the Assistant Director of Law and Governance Purpose of report To review the Local Code of Corporate Governance. The code is part of the overall system of internal control at the Council and supports the provision of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) which is approved annually by the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee. Recommendations The meeting is recommended: 1.1 to approve the reviewed Local Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix 1). Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Cherwell Local Code of Corporate Governance , item 10. PDF 735 KB Webcast for 10. Decision: Resolved (1) That the Local Code of Corporate Governance be agreed.
11.	Financial Management Code - Forecast Self-Assessment Update PDF 365 KB Report of the Assistant Director of Finance S151 Purpose of report To update the Committee that the results of the Council’s forecast self-assessment position at February 2024 against the requirements of CIPFA’s Financial Management Code is continued strong compliance, demonstrating a resilient and sustainable approach to managing the Council’s funds. Recommendations The meeting is recommended to: 1.1 Note the Council’s forecast self-assessment position at February 2024 against the requirements of CIPFA’s Financial Management Code Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Financial Management Code Self Assessment 2023-24 , item 11. PDF 240 KB Webcast for 11. Decision: Resolved (1) That the Council’s forecast self-assessment position at February 2024 against the requirements of CIPFA’s Financial Management Code be noted.
12.	Work Programme PDF 71 KB To consider and review the Work Programme. Additional documents: Webcast for 12. Decision: Resolved (1) That the Work Programme be noted.
13.	Urgent Business The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda. Additional documents: Webcast for 13.