Agenda and minutes

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

The minutes were approved as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee received a report which asked them to consider and approve an updated version of the Local Code of Governance, based on the CIPFA Delivering  Good Governance in Local Government Framework.

As part of this year’s annual review of the Local Code of Governance, the Council’s senior management  have been requested to make any necessary amendments or additions to the document. The proposed changes were attached for information as Appendix 1 to the main report.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

The Committee received a report which informed them of the optional arrangements for the appointment of external auditors for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2023 and sought agreement to opt into the national sector-led arrangement for the appointment of external auditors with effect from 1 April 2023.

The Committee were advised that Regulation 19 of the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015 requires that a decision to opt in must be made by a meeting of Full Council (meeting as a whole), except where the authority is a corporation sole (e.g. Police and Crime Commissioner) in which case this decision can be taken by the holder of that office.

It is therefore intended that this report will be presented to Cabinet on 22 February 2022 followed by Full Council at its meeting on 24 February 2022, where it will be recommended that Members agree to become an opted-in authority.

The closing date to provide formal acceptance of the invitation to PSAA is 11 March 2022.

PSAA will commence the formal procurement process in early February 2022. It expects to award contracts in August 2022, then consult with authorities on the appointment of auditors in order to make appointments by the statutory deadline of 31 December 2022.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

The Committee received a report which set out the external auditor’s progress in delivering their responsibilities as external auditor and presents for information a summary of recent reports and publications.

The report outlined audit progress and national publications and the external auditor’s report was attached at Appendix A for information.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

The Committee received a report providing an update on Corporate Risk Management developments during the period 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021 in line with the principles of good corporate governance.

The report included updated on:

·        Strategic Risk Management

·        Operational Risk Management

·        Business Continuity Management and

·        Corporate Risk and Resilience Group

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.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor

The Committee received a report outlining progress made by the Internal Audit & Risk Service against the audit plan for the financial year 2021/22 and summarises the main findings arising from audit activity throughout the period 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021.

A total of 16 assignments were completed during the period, with details attached for information at Appendix A.

From the reviews carried out to 31 December 2021 audit work was found to be complying with PSIAS and the Audit Manual.

The Committee were advised that the year to date performance information was as follows:-

·        99% of audits were completed within budgeted time against a target of 90%

·        Productive or chargeable time was recorded at 65% of overall time against an annual target of 73% of overall time

·        The average score of the customer satisfaction questionnaires returned is 3.88 out of 4, against a target of 3.4 (85%)

·        The target for implementation of audit recommendations and 90% for medium priority recommendations. The current rate of implementation of all recommendations is 96% with 97% of all medium priority and 100% of all high priority recommendations having been implemented. Further information was provided to Committee at Appendix C in the main report.

RESOLVED – That the information be noted.

Monday 7 March 2022 at 10.00 am

The next meeting will take place on Monday 7 March 2022 at 10.00 am