Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and Deputy Members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members.

No apologies were received.

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.

Councillor Craske declared a personal but non prejudicial interest with regards to his employment with KPMG, who provided audit services to the Council.  He stated that should the matter of audit be raised he would withdraw from the meeting.  This matter did not arise and Councillor Craske fully participated in the meeting.

The Chairperson announced that the virtual briefing on Treasury Management for Members would be held at 10:00am on Tuesday 8 December 2020.  The Strategic Director: Resources and Monitoring Officer also provided an update on the new Model Code of Conduct.

A Member commented that the business programmed for the March 2021 meeting appeared to be substantial and perhaps an additional meeting of the Committee might be considered by the officers in consultation with the Chairperson.

RESOLVED:

            That the Audit and Governance Work Programme for 2020/21 be noted.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 July 2020 be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.. 

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (see below for further details).

No members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting

Mr Harvey and Ms Davies from Southern Internal Audit Partnership were in attendance for this item.

Members asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by the officers accordingly.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the report and the progress against the internal audit management actions be noted and that no matters be raised with the cabinet member.

Mr Suter and Mr Sutterford from EY introduced the Report.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the accounts being approved in accordance with recommendation 1 of Report AG038, the Letter of Representation (Appendix 1) be approved.

RESOLVED:

1.            That approval of the audited Statement of Accounts 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 1, subject to amendments resulting from the completion of the auditor’s outstanding work, be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee.

2.            That, on completion of the auditors work, the Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee signs the Statement of Responsibilities on page 24 of Appendix 1 to certify the accounts and authorise their issue.

Mr Sarfras, Principal Accountant, Hampshire County Council was in attendance for this item and presented the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management Mid-Year Monitoring Report 2020/21 be noted.

Mr Harvey and Ms Davies from Southern Internal Audit Partnership were in attendance for this item.

RESOLVED:

That the Internal Audit External Quality Assessment 2020 attached as Appendix 1 be noted.

The meeting commenced at 6.00 pm and concluded at 7.15 pm

Chairperson