Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2018 were signed 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 5.00 pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager submitted a report which sought to inform the Audit Committee of the work performed by the Assurance, Risk and Audit team in the financial year 2017/18 and to provide the annual assurance opinion.

Chargeable time for the Assurance, Risk and Audit service at year end was 77.10%. This was below the planned target of 81.77%.

Members noted the assurance activities for the final quarter of 2017/18. The following reports had been submitted:

·  AONB

·  Business Continuity

·  Ethical Culture

The main areas of additional assurance during 2017/18 included:

• Membership of the Commissioning and Procurement Board
• Supporting the Project X project team
• Wise grant return assurance
• Supporting the GDPR Project Group

Management’s acceptance of recommendations made by the Assurance, Risk and Audit service during the year was 100%.

Councillor M Bainbridge raised concerns around the walkthrough testing and results of the Business Continuity Audit Review 2017/18. The assurance opinion for each area within the report was ‘limited’. The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager agreed to provide a summary at the next Audit Committee meeting on how the actions raised from the Business Continuity Audit Review were being progressed.

Members noted the report.

Agreed

That the report be accepted and considered as part of the approval of the Annual Governance Statement 2017/18.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager submitted a report which set out how the Assurance, Risk and Audit team intended to deliver an internal audit service in line with the Public Sector Internal Auditing Standards (PSIAS) 1 April 2017.

Members approved the Assurance, Risk and Audit Resource Plan and Strategy 2018/19.

Agreed

That the Assurance, Risk and Audit Resource Plan and Strategy 2018/19 be approved.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager presented a report on behalf of the Acting Head of Governance and Monitoring Officer which set out the Council’s draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2017/18 which was necessary to meet the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Members noted the report.

Agreed

That the draft 2017/18 Annual Governance Statement as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

R McGahon, Engagement Manager at Grant Thornton submitted a letter setting out the external auditors’ proposed work programme to be undertaken and the scale of fees for 2018/19.

The fee for 2018/19 was £37,059.

The fee would cover:

·  The external auditors’ audit of the Council’s financial statements

·  The external auditors’ work to reach a conclusion on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the Council’s use of resources (value for money conclusion)

·  The external auditors’ work on the whole of government accounts return

The letter outlined the external auditors’ audit timetable and the key members of the audit team for 2018/19.

Members noted the letter.

Agreed

That the letter be noted.