Agenda and minutes

Audit and Standards Committee - Tuesday, 26th July, 2022 4.00 pm

Venue: Whickham Room - Civic Centre

Contact: Helen Wade Tel: 0191 433 3993 - Email:  helenwade@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

ASC403

Minutes pdf icon PDF 317 KB

The Committee is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2022 (attached)

Minutes:

The minutes were approved as a correct record.

ASC404

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

ASC405

Annual Report to Cabinet and Council 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 288 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

The Committee received the annual report, which is required under the 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 28 June 2022 it was concluded that the Council’s system of internal control and governance framework is effective following approval of the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22.

 

RESOLVED    -           That the Committee agreed the draft report be submitted to

Cabinet and Council.

ASC406

Corporate Risk Management 2022/23 - Quarter 1 Update pdf icon PDF 209 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

Committee received a report on Corporate Risk Management during the first quarter period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022.

 

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

 

It was questioned as to whether there have been any additions to the Risk Register in the last year. It was confirmed that the register is under review at present so will change but that there has been no change in the last 12 months.

 

Committee requested that a copy of the scoring grid be provided for information.

 

RESOLVED    -           That Committee noted the report and was satisfied with the

effectiveness of the Council’s risk management arrangements.

ASC407

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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.

Minutes:

RESOLVED    -           That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during

the consideration of the remaining business in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

ASC408

Internal Audit Plan 2022/23 Quarterly Monitoring Report to 30 June 2022

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

Committee received a report on the progress made against the audit plan for the financial year 2022/23 in the first quarter.

 

It was reported that 22% of the audit plan has been completed so far, in terms of hours this is on course to achieve performance target.

 

Of the 22 assignments completed so far this year; 16 were satisfactory, five were operating well and there was one area of significant weakness. This area of weakness was due to the misuse of a purchase card, management have accepted this finding.

 

It was confirmed that to date 100% of audits have been completed on time, productive time was recorded at 65% of overall time against a target of 72%.

 

It was questioned whether Covid has had an impact on the audit process.  It was confirmed that the service is now working a lot more efficiently through hybrid working and remote working works well for the service.

 

It was queried as to why one of the high priority recommendations is not due to be implemented until December 2025. It was confirmed that this is to do with Capital work on high rise buildings and that 2025 is the deadline for properties to be up to code across the Borough.

 

RESOLVED    -           The Committee noted the contents of the report.

ASC409

Date and time of next meeting

TBA

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at 4.00pm.