Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th June 2024.

The minutes were approved as a correct record with the exception of Councillor Maria Hall’s apologises to be noted.  

Members of the Committee are invited to declare interests in any agenda items.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Strategic Director Resources and Digital

The Committee received the annual report which is required under its terms of reference to be submitted to Cabinet and Council.

A summary of the reports presented to the Committee over the last year was given. It was noted that at the meeting on the 18 June 2024 concluded that the Council’s system of internal control and governance framework is effective. This was demonstrated through the approval of the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 accompanied by the Statement of Accounts.

RSOLVED:

(i)            That the Committee agreed the draft report be submitted to Cabinet and Council.

Report of Strategic Director Resources and Digital

The Committee received a report on the Corporate Risk Management developments during the period 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024.

It was noted that no changes have been made to the Strategic Risk Register in the first quarter and the Business Continuity Plans continue to be reviewed.

All Business Impact Assessments have been reviewed bi-annually, with the most recent service reviews undertaken in April and May 2024.

Quarterly audit and risk reports are provided to Group Management Teams to highlight the critical activities for which services have developed continuity plans.

The Committee were advised that the Corporate Risk and Resilience Group last met on the 2^nd July 2024 and the following items were considered;

·         Strategic and Operational Risk Registers

·         Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response

·         Northumbria Local Resilience Forum

·         Updates from Groups and Services

It was raised if the Corporate Risk update reports are reported less frequently or as and when an issue arises. It was noted that this will be discussed between officers to ensure reporting guidelines are followed.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Committee noted the report and were satisfied with the effectiveness of the Council’s risk management arrangements.

Report of Strategic Director Resources and Digital

The Committee received a report to review Treasury Management 2024/25 performance for the three months to 30^th June 2024, covering investments and borrowing. This is consistent with approved performance management arrangements.

The quarterly performance of the Treasury Management Strategy is reported in line with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Council’s Treasury Policy Statement and Treasury Strategy (TMSS) which was approved by Council on 19 March 2024.

Performance in the first three months of the financial year indicates a net General Fund budget saving of £1.77m. No new borrowing has been taken out to date during 2024/25, interest rates are monitored closely to inform the best timing to take new borrowing to minimise revenue impact of financing the Council’s Capital Programme.

It was queried if the Council forecast if there is any borrowing of funds planned for later in the year. It was advised that this will not be known until later in the year but the Council will always prioritise to use it’s cash flow to reduce borrowing.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the information be noted.

The Committee may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the exempt agenda in accordance with paragraphs 7 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED -  That the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of Items 10 and 11 in accordance with paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act1972.

Report of Chief Internal Auditor

The Committee received a report and approved a report which outlined the progress made by the Internal Audit and Risk Service against the audit from for the financial year 2024/25.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the information be noted.  

The Committee is asked to re-admit the press and public to the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the press and public be re-admitted for the remainder of the

meeting.

Report of Strategic Director Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee received a report that sets out the proposed training programme for the members of the Audit and Standards Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the timetable is approved and noted.

Tuesday 26^th September 2024.

Thursday 26^th September 2024.