Agenda and minutes

The Chair requested that the Committee observe a one minute silence in tribute to the late Councillor Michael Greatorex, who had been a much valued member of the Committee, on the one year anniversary of his passing

The minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd July 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor M Oates and seconded by Councillor J Faulkner)

(Report of the Assistant Director, People)

The Assistant Director, People summarised the report which detailed the contents of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Annual Review Letter  and summary of complaints, enquiries and decisions made for the year ended 31^st March 2020. Following questions, the Chair requested that future reports contained more detail on upheld complaints and what measures the Council was taking to address any underlying issues that had led to those complaints.

(The Audit Findings Report 2019/20 from Grant Thornton, the External Auditors)

Terry Tobin from Grant Thornton, the Council’s external auditors, summarised the report. Following questions from Committee members, the Chair requested that both the external auditors and the Council’s finance team be thanked for delivering an unqualified set of accounts and value for money audit opinion despite having to conduct the audit remotely due to the current Pandemic situation.

(Moved by Councillor C Cooke and seconded by Councillor S Pritchard)

(Executive Director, Finance)

The Executive Director, Finance summarised the management representation letter highlighting the salient points within.

(Moved by Councillor C Cooke and seconded by Councillor J Faulkner)

(Report of the Executive Director, Finance)

The Executive Director Finance presented the annual statement of accounts and report to the Committee. He highlighted that there had been one late adjustment since the report had been issued, relating to the treatment of £1.1m of the Section 31 Business Rate Relief Grant. He requested that the recommendation to approve the annual statement of accounts 2019/20 include a corresponding adjustment of £1.1m on the balance sheet from debtors to creditors with no effect on the bottom line. Following this, assurances were sought from the Committee on the effect of the Pandemic on investment property valuations. 

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor J Faulkner)

(Report of the Executive Director, Finance)

The Executive Director Finance presented the Annual Report on the Treasury Management Service and Actual Prudential Indicators 2019/20 as approved by Council on 15^th September 2020. He asked members to consider whether they would highlight any proposed changes for recommendation to Cabinet. Following questions regarding the investments in property funds, no changes were proposed.

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor C Cooke)

(Report of the Executive Director, Finance)

The Executive Director Finance presented the report on the review the proposed investment in property funds. Following questions and debate, Councillor J Faulkner proposed an amendment to the recommendation that no further investment in property funds be undertaken until a review in Spring 2021 to include a commitment that no new investments are made under existing delegations until after the review is completed. This amendment was moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor C Cooke.

Following a vote, the motion was not carried.

(Moved by Councillor S Pritchard and seconded by Councillor M Bailey)

(Report of the Assistant Director, Finance)

The Assistant Director Finance provided the quarterly risk management update, highlighting the effect of the pandemic on the Council’s strategic risks.

(Moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor M Bailey)

(Report of the Head of Audit and Governance and Monitoring Officer)

The Head of Audit and Governance & Monitoring Officer provided the Committee with internal audit’s progress report for the period to 30 September 2020 (Quarter 2).

(Moved by Councillor C Cooke and seconded by Councillor M Summers)

(Report of the Head of Audit and Governance and Monitoring Officer)

The Head of Audit and Governance & Monitoring Officer presented the counter fraud update and the proposed Prevention of the Facilitation of Tax Evasion Policy Statement and Procedures for the Committee’s endorsement.

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor R Rogers)

(Report of the Head of Audit and Governance and Monitoring Officer)

The Head of Audit and Governance & Monitoring Officer submitted the refreshed Annual Governance Statement and Code of Corporate Governance for Audit & Governance Committee’s approval.

(Moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor M Oates)

(Report of the Head of Audit and Governance and Monitoring Officer)

The Head of Audit and Governance & Monitoring Officer presented the latest review of the constitution and scheme of delegation for the Audit & Governance Committee to comment on and endorse, in advance of its submission to Council in December 2020.

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor C Cooke)

The Committee reviewed the timetable. No changes were recommended.