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 and prejudicial, but non pecuniary 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.

RESOLVED:

            That Cllr Bentote be appointed Vice Chairman of the Committee for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

The Chairperson had no announcements to make.

The officers answered questions on the work programme.

It was noted that Internal Audit items were included within the Governance Quarterly Update reports and there were also additional reports within the work programme, such as the Audit Charter report.

The Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer stated that consideration would be given as to how non-operational assets could be given consideration by this committee. A Member gave the example of the soundness of financial decisions taken on the demolition of the former River Park Leisure Centre.

It was agreed that a general human resources update report, be brought to the 11 November 2021 meeting.

RESOLVED:

            That subject to the further inclusion of an item for the 11 November 2021 meeting on a general human resources update, the Audit and Governance Work Programme for 2021/22 be noted.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 March 2021 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.

Members raised questions regarding the two overdue high priority audit actions relating to IT – Mobile devices.  The Corporate Head of IMT gave some background and explained that the actions would be a high priority to be completed in the next 6 months.

In respect of the overdue high priority audit actions relating to health and safety the Strategic Director: Services provided some background and said an update would be submitted to the July meeting to provide added clarity as to the nature of the overdue actions. Members requested an update in advance of the July meeting and the Strategic Director: Services agreed to provide this directly to members of the committee.

In answer to further questions, the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer provided detail on Code of Conduct complaints and the process and length of time that it took for their resolution.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the Report and the progress against the Internal Audit management actions be noted and that no issues be raised with the Cabinet Member and that the Strategic Director: Services provide an update on health and safety overdue actions directly to members of the Committee in advance of the July meeting.

The Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer introduced the Report and answered member questions including on the relationship between Development Management and Legal, including the role of the Monitoring Officer, in dealing with the Council’s own planning applications as land owner.

RESOLVED:

That the Monitoring Officer’s Annual Report be noted.

RESOLVED:

That the report in respect of the arrangements for auditor appointment be noted and that that clarification be sought from the PSAA on the relationship of scale fees for external audits to the risk profiles of different Councils.

RESOLVED:

That the Chief Internal Auditor’s annual report and opinion for 2020/21 attached as Appendix 1 be noted.