Venue: Walton Suite, Guildhall, Winchester
Contact: Dave Shaw, Principal Democratic Services Officer Tel: 01962 848221 email: dshaw@winchester.gov.uk
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Disclosure of Interests To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.
Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, and non disclosable pecuniary interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.
If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.
Minutes: Councillor Godfrey declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in all items that might present a conflict of interest arising from his former position as a Portfolio Holder serving on Cabinet. No such conflict arose in the meeting and he spoke and voted on all items.
Councillor Miller declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in all items that might present a conflict of interest arising from his former position as a Portfolio Holder serving on Cabinet. No such conflict arose in the meeting and he spoke and voted on all items.
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To note the Audit and Governance Work Programme 2019 2020 PDF 195 KB Minutes: Following debate, it was agreed that the following topics be added to the work programme: · Reports on complaints received and their resolution. · How the new Constitution has operated since it was last reviewed and the further changes that will be required (item for the November meeting).
At the invitation of the Chairperson, Councillor Cutler suggested that the item on the operation of the new Constitution might include consideration of the new arrangements for Human Resources items that were previously reported to the former Personnel Committee, for example on staff turnover and sickness. These items were now reported to The Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet in a summarised form on a quarterly basis and consideration should be given as to whether these new arrangements were effective. This approach was supported by the Committee.
RESOLVED:
That subject to the further inclusion of reports on complaints received and their resolution and also how the new Constitution has operated since it was last reviewed and the further changes required (item for the November 2019 meeting), the Audit and Governance Work Programme for 2019/20 be noted.
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Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2019 be approved and adopted.
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Governance Quarterly Update Quarter 1 2019/20 AG008 PDF 437 KB Minutes: Councillor Gottlieb declared that he might be the District Councillor referred to in appendix 1 of the Report – Code of Conduct complaints.
Members raised questions or commented regarding the following: · Whether information should be reported on the value of recorded gifts and hospitality. · Whether consideration should be given to reducing the length of the gap between the July and November meetings of the Committee to allow the reporting of Internal Audit actions during this period. · That the appendix on Code of Conduct Complaints should be a regular update with an annual review reported to this Committee.
Councillor Gottlieb abstained from voting on this item.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the Report and the progress against the Internal Audit management actions be noted.
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Audit Results Report for the year ended 31 March 2019 AG0010 PDF 114 KB Additional documents: Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the Letter of Representation as set out in Appendix 1 to the Report be approved.
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Annual Governance Statement AG011 PDF 355 KB Minutes:
Members raised questions or commented regarding the following:
· It was confirmed that the training on procurement and contract management referred to on page 37 of the Report was for staff. · The actions that had been taken by the Council to address the recommendations of the Independent Report on Silver Hill and of the Local Government Association Peer Review in February 2017. · The timing of the presentation of Internal Audit Reports to Committee. · How the Annual Governance Statement 2018/19 Action Plan (page 36 of the Report) would address the three significant governance issues identified on page 34 of the Report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Annual Governance Statement for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.
2. That the issues arising and proposed actions identified in Appendix 1 be noted and that progress against the actions be brought back to the Audit and Governance Committee in six months time.
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Annual Financial Report 2018/19 AG012 PDF 174 KB Additional documents: Minutes:
RESOLVED:
1. That the Statement of Accounts 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.
2. That the Chairperson of this meeting signs the Statement of Responsibilities on page 22 of Appendix 1 to certify the accounts and authorise their issue.
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Treasury Management Outturn 2018/19 AG006 PDF 334 KB Minutes: Councillor Weston declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest as she was an employee of HSBC who were mentioned in the Report and she spoke and voted on this item.
The Finance Manager (Capital & Treasury) introduced the Report.
Mr Boutflower, Deputy Investments and Borrowing Manager at Hampshire County Council, was present at the meeting and explained actions taken by the County to prevent a breach of the limit on sums invested for over 364 days occurring again in the future (paragraph 22.6 refers). Mr Boutflower stated that there had been no financial detriment to the Council and sums invested had now returned to within the investment limits.
Also present was Mr Sarfas, Principal Accountant in the Investments and Borrowing Team at Hampshire County Council, who would be representing the County at future meetings of the Committee.
In answer the Members’ questions the officers gave explanations on the following:
· The Council’s strategy with regard to bail-in risk · The Council’s strategy in managing the average debt portfolio of £156.7m (which had been borrowed to finance the Housing stock purchase).
At the invitation of the Chairperson, Councillor Cutler encouraged Members to attend the Treasury Management Training to be held at the County Council’s offices on 26 November 2019.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Annual Treasury Outturn Report 2018/19 be noted.
2. That the limit on sums invested for over 364 days was breached by £35,000 from 12 March 2019 to 16 May 2019 be noted and that the mitigating actions agreed to prevent this occurring again as detailed in paragraph 22.6 be also noted.
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