Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2016.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 7 March 2016 were approved as a correct record.

Members to declare interests in any agenda items.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Strategic Director Corporate Resources

The external auditor’s progress report has been presented showing progress against planned work. The report also summarised the following:

·        Accounts workshop for officers.

·        North East Governance Forum.

·        Changes impacting on the Statement of Accounts, Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and Audit Regulations 2015.

·        National publications and other updates.

In response to a query regarding the appointment process for the Council’s external auditor from 2018/19, the Committee was advised that further details would be brought back to it as more details were published on the proposed arrangements.

The Committee was also informed that a comprehensive training programme was being developed. A training session had been organised for 6 June 2016 on Treasury Management. Details would be circulated to all members of the Committee.

RESOLVED -  That the contents of the external auditor’s report be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director Corporate Resources

The Committee received a report setting out the proposed Audit Strategy Statement and annual plan of work to be undertaken by the Internal Audit and Risk Service in 2016/17.

In response to a question regarding the risk ratings in appendix 1 to the report, the Committee was advised that in future a post audit review would be undertaken to ensure that the scoring was accurate.

A member referred to the effectiveness of the Council’s ICT systems and web information. Members were informed that a team of IT auditors were due to review these and the results would be shared with the Committee. In addition, this area of work was being addressed through the Digital workstream of the Council’s Change Programme.

RESOLVED – (i)         That the Audit Strategy Statement and the annual plan of work to be provided by the Internal Audit and Risk Service for 2016/17 be noted.

(ii)        That quarterly monitoring reports be received showing progress made against the plan.

Report of the Strategic Director Corporate Resources

The Committee received a report detailing the developments in Corporate Risk Management during the period 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016.

An Action Plan for the delivery of the Development Objectives for 2015/16 was also presented. This incorporates details of progress made.

RESOLVED – That the information be noted

The Committee may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the exempt items in accordance with Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Strategic Director Corporate Resources

The progress made by the Internal Audit and Risk Service against the audit plan for the financial year 2015/16 was presented to the Committee together with a summary of the main findings arising from audit activity throughout the period 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016.

A total of nine audit reports were issued during the period and the findings of these were presented to the committee. The internal Audit and Risk Service also completed one grant certification.

RESOLVED – That the information be noted.

Members were advised that the Chair, Councillor Brian Coates, was attending his last meeting of the Committee before stepping down as a councillor following the local elections on 5 May 2016.

RESOLVED -  That the Committee place on record its thanks and   appreciation of Councillor Coates’ work as Chair of the Committee.