Agenda and minutes

Audit Committee - Monday 13th February 2023 2.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 1 Civic Suite. View directions

Contact: James Hughes  Democratic Services

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive any apologies or substitutions.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no apologies or substitutions received

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 256 KB

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 9th January 2023.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9th January were agreed unanimously.

3.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest from Members

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None declared.

4.

Questions and Deputations

To answer questions, if any, asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None received.

5.

Verbal Update from the External Auditor

To receive a verbal report from the External Auditor

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The External Auditors presented their verbal report. The 2021-22 Audit should be completed within the next week or two. The Committee welcomed Meriel as the new Audit Manager and she would be driving forward the 2022-23 Audit.

 

Members asked questions and were satisfied with the responses they received.

 

The Committee placed on record their unanimous thanks to Neil Preece, External Auditor, for his work over the last 7 years.

 

RESOLVED

The Committee unanimously agreed to receive the Verbal Update from the External Auditors.

6.

Annual Governance Statement Preparation for 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 201 KB

The purpose of this report is to advise Audit Committee about the preparations for the production of the Council’s annual governance statement (AGS) for 2022/23.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A typing error was picked up on Page 13 of the agenda pack. 6.5.1 Bullet Point 4 should read:

§  No risks have been identified. The risk appetite is low in line with the Council’s Risk Management Strategy.

 

The Governance and Risk Management Advisor presented the report as set out in the Agenda Pack. Members asked questions and were satisfied with the responses they received.

 

RESOLVED:

The Audit Committee:

·  Noted the proposed timetable for production of this year’s AGS (Appendix A)

·  Endorsed the proposed assurance gathering process (Appendix B)

·  Confirmed that the process will provide the assurance needed to effectively review and challenge the draft AGS when it is presented in July 2023.

·  Decided no additional assurances were required.

7.

2022/23 Quarter 3 Treasury Management Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 217 KB

To provide a monitoring report on the 2022/23 Treasury Management activities for quarter 3.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Treasury and Corporate Accountant presented the report as set out in the Agenda Pack. Members of the Committee asked questions and were satisfied with the responses they received from Officers.

 

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the Treasury Management activities for quarter 3 of 2022/23.

8.

Exclusion of the Public & Press

That the press and public be now excluded from the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

That the press and public be now excluded from the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

9.

Audit Services - Internal Audit Report Bereavement Services

The purpose of this report is to inform the Audit Committee of Internal Audits findings.

10.

Bereavement Services update

The purpose of this report is to inform Audit Committee of the management response to the Internal Audit report.