Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made.

RESOLVED:

The minutes of the meeting held on the 13 February 2019 were approved as a correct record.

The report summarised work undertaken to certify the Housing Benefit Subsidy claim submitted by the Authority which found that the Council had appropriate arrangements to compile a complete, accurate and timely claim for audit certification.  There was on item not in the return – repayment of right to buy which was a minor issue.

RESOLVED:

That the Certification Letter for 2017/18 be noted.

Councillors considered the External Audit Plan for 2018/19.  This included matters relating to significant risks, the valuation of assets/pensions and management override of controls.  The Council was on track for its budget and savings plans but still had targets to meet.

RECOMMENDED:

That Council be recommended to note the External Audit Plan for 2018/19.

The purpose of the report was to contribute towards the effective two-way communication between auditors and the Council's Audit and Regulatory Committee.  Management responses to questions were provided in the report which councillors were invited to scrutinise.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Regulations required the Council to conduct a review each financial year of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and approve an Annual Governance Statement (AGS).  The AGS Action Plan (Appendix 1 of the report) outlined the progress made against the required actions as at the end of December 2018. Costs relating to the operating model for the waste collection service were discussed.

RESOLVED:

That the progress information contained within the report be noted.

The Council’s Treasury Management performance in 2018/19 was scrutinised in compliance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management and generally accepted good practice.  Discussion took place on interest earned  and lending to other local authorities.

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management position (as at 31^st December 2018) be noted.

The purpose of the report was to allow members of the Committee to consider and endorse the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20 to ensure that its capital and treasury activities for the next four years were affordable and properly managed.  Updates to the Code and the Council’s financing requirement were discussed.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) 2019/20 be approved.

The Committee considered the Council’s risk management arrangements in accordance with accepted good practice.  A voluntary desktop review had been carried out by Zurich for which positive feedback had been received. Risks associated with Pavilion Gardens, planning applications were also discussed.

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s current risk position and the mitigation plans summarised within Appendix A (strategic risks), Appendix B (operational risks) and Appendix C (project risks) of the report be noted.

The Committee was presented with the updated Risk Management Strategy that set out the Council’s risk tolerance threshold.    The 2019 strategy review had been informed by a number of considerations, including findings of internal audit and horizon-scanning for emerging risks within the public sector.The risk-threat tolerance threshold was still valid but an equivalent threshold for opportunity risks was proposed.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Risk Management Strategy as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 required the Council to “undertake an effective internal audit to evaluate the effectiveness of its risk management, control and governance processes, taking into account public sector internal auditing standards or guidance”.  In accordance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, the Audit Manager must report periodically to the Audit Committee on the internal audit activity’s performance relative to its plan. All of the reports that had been completed had received a substantial or satisfactory assurance.

RESOLVED:

That the progress information contained within the report be noted.

Consideration was given to the work programme for the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee Work Programme be noted.