Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2019

The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th February 2019 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 attended the meeting to deliver the Assurance, Risk and Audit Year End Report for 2018/19.

Members were advised of a summary of audit work carried out, along with the substantial assurance framework.

The chargeable time for the year was 75%, which was above the target of 71%.

In relation to risk management the Audit Committee have regular oversight and regular risk management work is undertaken with senior leaders.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager also explained some background to the new members on corporate fraud and the risk register, advising the group that a risk workshop will be arranged.

Members asked questions relating to lost audit time, this was due to officer sickness and reduced officer time. This will be mitigated by the new Assurance, Risk and Internal auditor who had recently started with the Council.

Agreed

That the Assurance, Risk and Audit Year End Report 2018/19 be noted.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager presented the Audit Strategy Plan for 2019/20.

Members were advised that the plan for 19/20 was risk based and focused on what can be delivered v resources available.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager then explained that in March 2019 they had taken on the role of HUB manager, reducing time available to manage the Assurance, Risk and Audit Function.

Agreed

That the contents of the Audit Strategy Plan 2019/20 be noted.

The Assurance, Risk and Audit Manager presented the report on behalf of the Monitoring Officer.

The Governance Statement included the core principles of delivering good governance and the principles of how governance should work.

Members were also advised how the council complies with the 2016 CIPFA Framework ‘Delivering Good Governance in Local Governance’ and how the council structures its approach to compliance around the seven principles set out in the framework.

Agreed

That the contents of the Draft Annual Governance Statement 2018/19 be approved.

The Audit Fee Letter 2019/20 was presented by John Farrar and Angela

Pieri and members were advised that the fee has not increased from 2018/19.

Agreed

That the contents of the Audit Fee Letter 2019/20 be noted

The Audit Committee Progress Report was presented by Grant Thornton LLP, advising that the report is an audit of accounts and value for money; in conclusion to interim work of the high level summary, Grant Thornton LLP has identified no risks.

Members were advised that legal judgements surrounding the firefighter’s pension scheme could have an implication for reporting council accounts, due to potential increase in liabilities for local government pension schemes.

In relation to value for money, the two local risks were identified as the waste contract and the potential sports stadium. Grant Thornton advised members they were not aware of any weakness in the Audit Committee Progress Report.

Agreed

Members noted the contents of the Audit Committee Progress Report