Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm on a working day, allowing two clear working days before the day of the meeting.

None received.

The Audit, Risk and Assurance (ARA) Strategic Advisor presented the report which was to inform the Committee of the work performed by the Assurance, Risk and Audit Team in the financial year 2021/22 and Q1 2022/23.

The Audit, Risk and Assurance (ARA) advised members a schedule of agreed actions will be presented at the next meeting.

Members then asked questions in relation to the risk assessments and the mitigations.

Members also asked questions in relation to the verification of single householders in particular the National Fraud Initiative exercise and the electoral database.

Members noted the contents of the report.

The Audit, Risk and Assurance (ARA) – Strategic Advisor presented the report which sets out the annual internal audit assurance opinion for 2021/22 in line with the Public Sector Internal Auditing Standards (PSIAS).

Members approved the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Audit, Risk and Assurance (ARA) – Strategic Advisor presented the report which sets out the work the Assurance, Risk and Audit team intends to deliver during 2022/23.

Members were advised that the recruitment exercise that has been undertaken is due to be finalised.

Members asked questions in relation to value for money.

Members approved the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Policy Manager presented the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22.

The Council has established governance arrangements which are consistent with the seven principles of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) Framework - Delivering Good Governance in Local Government. It has adopted a Local Code of Corporate Governance, which is publicised on the Council website.

Members asked if the outcome of the Judicial Review could be included in the report in future.

Members then approved the draft Annual Governance Statement 2020-21

Richard Anderson (Grant Thornton LLP), presented the Audit Plan for 2021/22, advising members of the key matters which related to the Impact of Covid 19, Local Government Reorganisation and Infrastructure Assets.

Members were advised that there was a couple of amendments to be made on page 147, the word million appeared twice one will be removed and that the vast majority of the money will not solely be spent on consultants, it will be made clear in the final report what the money will be spent on.

Members then asked questions in relation to the no risks identified.

Members were advised there was no material risk therefore no risk identified.

Members noted the contents of the report.