Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors S D Martin, N R Gregory and G Fazackarley.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee meeting held on the 12 July 2021.

RESOLVED that the Minutes from the Audit and Governance Committee held on the 12 July 2021 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

No announcements were made by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations received at this meeting.

To consider the annual report by the Director of Leisure and Community providing assurances on the governance arrangements for the Council’s significant partnerships.

The Committee received a report by the Director of Leisure and Community providing members with an overview of the annual performance of each of the partnerships that Fareham Borough Council is part of and allowing Members to request further information or clarification over the governance arrangements in place.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee: -

a)    note the contents of the report; and

b)    there were no requests for further information or clarification on any Significant Partnerships where members had concerns over the governance arrangements in place.

To consider the annual report by the Director of Leisure and Community providing an overview of the complaints against the Council in 2020/21.

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Leisure and Community providing details of the complaints made to the Council via the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, the Housing Ombudsman Service and any complaints in respect of breaches of the Code of Conduct for Members for the year up to 31 March 2021.

The Policy, Research and Engagement Manager presented the report to the Committee. Members commented on the Council’s excellent record with complaints handling, with no complaints being upheld during 2020/21.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee note the contents of the report.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the draft Statement of Accounts for 2020/21.

The Committee considered a report from the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the unaudited Statement of Accounts for 2020/21. The external audit of the accounts is due during October so the audited Statement of Accounts will be presented to the Audit and Governance Committee along with the Audit Results Report on 22 November 2021.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee approves the unaudited Statement of Accounts for 2020/21, attached as Appendix A, for publication by 30 September 2021.

To receive a verbal update from the Head of Finance and Audit and the Head of Democratic Services on the new Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules introduced in 2018.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Head of Finance and Audit on the conclusions from the review of the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules that were introduced in October 2018. No changes of the rules were proposed at this time.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee note the contents of the verbal update.

To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on the findings arising from the latest internal audit work to be finalised and progress being made on delivering the internal audit plan for 2021/22.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Finance and Audit providing the assurances arising from the latest internal audit work and updating on the progress being made with delivering the audit plans. mark Somerset, Audit Manager from the partnership with Portsmouth City Council, addressed the Committee to explain the challenges that the internal audit partners have faced in completing the internal audit work. He reassured the Committee that although there has been a delay, they feel positive that they will be able to catch up by the end of the year.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee notes the progress and findings arising from Internal Audit work.

To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on a review of the

Committee’s Work Programme for 2021/22.

The Committee received a report by the Monitoring Officer reviewing the Committees work programme for 2021/22.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee approve the work programme for the rest of the municipal year, as shown in Appendix A to this report.