Agenda and minutes

Audit Committee - Monday 13th March 2023 2.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 1 Civic Suite. View directions

Contact: James Hughes Democratic Services

Media

Items
No.	Item
1.	Apologies Additional documents: Webcast for 1. Minutes: Apologies were receieved from Cllr Richard Long, Samantha Gilbert and Zoe Covington.
2.	Public Minutes PDF 296 KB To receive the public minutes of the previous meeting. Additional documents: Webcast for 2. Minutes: RESOLVED The public minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13^th February 2023 were unanimously approved.
3.	Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of interest from Members Additional documents: Webcast for 3. 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: Webcast for 4. Minutes: None received.
5.	Verbal Update from the External Auditor To receive a verbal report from the External Auditor Additional documents: Webcast for 5. Minutes: The External Auditor advised they were hoping to conclude the audit and issue their opinion by the end of this month and that planning for the audit 2021-22 had begun.
6.	Housing Benefit Subsidy Claim 2021/22 PDF 194 KB View the background to item 6. To update Audit Committee on the report of the 2021/22 housing benefit subsidy claim. Additional documents: Appendix A , item 6. PDF 490 KB Webcast for 6. Minutes: The Head of Income & Awards presented the report as set out in the Agenda Pack. Members asked questions and were satisfied with the responses they received. RESOLVED Audit Committee unanimously noted the issues highlighted and the subsequent actions taken.
7.	Childrens Services Improvement Plan Update PDF 187 KB View the background to item 7. The purpose of this report is to provide the Audit Committee with an update in relation to the Children’s Services Improvement Plan. Additional documents: Webcast for 7. Minutes: The Director of Children’s Service, Education and Skills 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 unanimously noted the matters in the report regarding the Improvement Plan and called on the Director of Children’s Service, Education and Skills to share the Children’s Social Care Plan and Partnership Improvement Plan with the Committee.
8.	Draft Fraud and Corruption Statement and Policy PDF 188 KB View the background to item 8. To inform the Audit Committee of the proposed new Fraud and Corruption Statement and Policy, for comment and endorsement. Additional documents: Appendix - Statement , item 8. PDF 277 KB Appendix - Policy , item 8. PDF 863 KB Webcast for 8. Minutes: The Audit Manager 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 new wording of the Statement and Policy, did not identify any areas where they wished to receive further information or explanation from Audit Services. · The Audit Committee endorsed the draft Statement and Policy, pending final approval by the Governance Committee.
9.	Review of Accounting Policies – 2022/23 PDF 300 KB View the background to item 9. To review and consider the Council’s proposed Accounting Policies that will be applied for the 2022/23 financial year. Additional documents: Appendix A , item 9. PDF 234 KB Webcast for 9. Minutes: The Finance Manager – Financial Cycle Team 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 considered the proposed Accounting Policies, accounting estimates and significant judgements due to be applied for the 2022/23 financial year.
10.	Prevention of the Facilitation of Tax Evasion Policy PDF 194 KB View the background to item 10. This report sets out the specific Policy for the Prevention of the Facilitation of Tax Evasion. Additional documents: Appendix A , item 10. PDF 805 KB Webcast for 10. Minutes: The Finance Manager – Financial Cycle Team 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 considered and commented on this new corporate Policy which will demonstrate how the Council is actively preventing the facilitation of tax evasion before it is presented to Governance Committee on 15 March.
11.	2023/24 Financial Regulation Update PDF 197 KB View the background to item 11. To consider the Council’s revised Financial Regulations and associated documents. Appendix A will only be availble online. Additional documents: Appendix A , item 11. PDF 824 KB Webcast for 11. Minutes: The Finance Manager – Financial Cycle Team 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 reviewed and agreed the revised Financial Regulations as set out in Appendix A, for onward approval by Governance Committee on 15 March 2023 and finally Full Council, to be implemented from April 2023.
12.	Risk Management Information Report PDF 184 KB View the background to item 12. As part of the Council’s Risk Management Approach, Audit Committee: - Monitors the effective development and operation of risk management. - Considers compliance with the Risk Management Policy and Procedure. Additional documents: Appendix A , item 12. PDF 113 KB Appendix B , item 12. PDF 127 KB Appendix C , item 12. PDF 334 KB Appendix D , item 12. PDF 350 KB Webcast for 12. Minutes: The Health, Safety & Risk Manager 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 considered the information provided in the report and determined no further action is needed in respect of the identified corporate risks. The Committee asked that a report be presented to them at the next meeting regarding the risk around the levels of agency staff and issues surrounding staff retention across the Council.
13.	Exclusion of the Public and 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: Webcast for 13. 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.
14.	Item 12 - Private Appendix E View the reasons why item 14. is restricted Minutes: RESOLVED Members noted the private appendix.
15.	Private Minutes View the reasons why item 15. is restricted To receive the private minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13^th February 2023. Additional documents: Webcast for 15. Minutes: RESOLVED Members unanimously agreed the private minutes.