Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee meeting held on the 23 July 2018.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee meeting held on the 23 July 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee Members he wanted to offer condolences to the two Members of the Committee who have recently been bereaved.

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 this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which presents the External Auditor’s Annual Letter which summarises the findings from the 2017/18 audit.

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the External Auditors (Ernst & Youngs LLP) Annual Audit Letter, which summarises the findings from the 2017/18 audit.

RESOLVED that the Committee notes the contents of the report.

To consider an annual report by the Director of Finance and Resources on an Overview of the Complaints against the Council.

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on an annual overview of the complaints made to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, the Housing Ombudsman Service and any complaints received in respect of breaches of the Code of Conduct for Members.

RESOLVED that the Committee notes the contents of the report.

To consider a report from the Director of Finance and Resources on the Risk Management Monitoring Policy.

The Committee considered a six-monthly report from the Head of Finance and Audit on the evidence that had been compiled as proof that the Risk Management Policy which was approved by the Committee in March 2017, is operating in practise.

RESOLVED that the Committee reviewed the report as a source of evidence that the current Risk Management Policy is operating in practice.

To consider the Internal Audit Progress Report by the Head of Finance and Audit.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on the assurances arising from the latest Internal Audit work and updating Members on the progress being made with the delivery of the audit plans.

Members expressed concern over the slow progress being made with the audits in the 2018/19 plan. The Chairman requested that effort be made to improve the advancement of this year’s plan by the 26 November 2018 Audit and Governance Committee meeting.

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

To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on a review of the Work Programme for 2018/19.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on a review of the Work Programme for 2018/19.

The Head of Finance and Audit addressed the Committee to confirm that following the Committee’s approval at the 12 March 2018 meeting to bring the Review of the Constitution as an annual report for Members, this will be added to the 26 November 2018 meeting.

RESOLVED that with the addition of item – Review of the Constitution being added to the 26 November 2018 meeting, the Committee approve the Work Programme for 2018/19.