Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That the decisions of the meeting held on 8 April 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mark Shooter (Councillor Tambourides substituting) and from Councillor Alex Brodkin (Councillor Mittra substituting).

There were none.

Details are appended of the questions asked of, and the answers given by the Chairman.  Verbal responses were given to supplementary questions asked at the meeting.

Mr Silverman addressed the Committee on issues arising from a number of items (Agenda Items 6, 9, 10).

The Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Lord Palmer, introduced the Members’ Item that he had submitted.

RESOLVED –

1.  That the Committee approve the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2012-13 as an accurate record of the outcomes and work programme for the year.

2.  The Annual Report is reported to the next Full Council meeting.

The Assurance Director introduced the report.  She informed the Committee that an update on the position of key areas for improvement identified in the Annual Governance Statement had been included; where they have not been sufficiently progressed the issue is carried forward into the following year.  She reported that any gaps or weaknesses in governance arrangements that are identified as part of the Annual Governance Statement are clearly set out as key areas for improvement to be addressed the following year.

The Committee noted the Key Improvement Areas identified for 2013/2014.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Governance Statement for inclusion within the Statement of Account for 2012/13 be approved.

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Finance introduced the report.  Mr Paul Hughes, Mr Tom Edgell and Mr Nick Taylor of Grant Thornton LLP (External Auditor) also spoke to the report.

The Chief Operating Officer and Director of Finance thanked the officers in his team for their efforts in the early completion the accounts for this year.  He also thanked the external auditors and members of the public who had contributed in the audit progress.

RESOLVED -

(1)               That the Committee approve the audited Statement of Accounts 2012/13 and they be signed by the Chairman and the Chief Operating Officer/Director of Finance on behalf of the Council

(2)               That the matters raised by the external auditor relating to detailed aspects of the 2012/13 accounts audit, including the pension fund accounts, be noted.

(3)               That the officer response to matters raised by the external auditor be noted.

RESOLVED - That Grant Thornton’s planned external audit fee for 2013/14 be noted.

The Assurance Director introduced the report on behalf of the Head of Internal Audit & Anti-Fraud.

RESOLVED - That the Committee note the contents of the Annual Opinion / Report.

The Operational Assurance Assistant Director introduced the report.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Report of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team 2012 – 2013, be noted.

The Operational Assurance Assistant Director introduced the report.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the proposed updates to the Counter Fraud Framework.

The Operational Assurance Assistant Director introduced the report.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note minor amendments made to the Risk Management Strategy, and to note the change in the arrangements from a Risk Management Strategy to a Risk Management Framework.

The Operational Assurance Assistant Director introduced the report.  The Committee discussed the report and asked questions to the relevant Directors/Senior Officers on the recommendations that were rated at limited assurance. 

RESOLVED -

(1)               That the Committee note the progress against the Internal Audit Plan for 2013-14 to 30th June 2013 and the actions being taken to address some cases of non-implementation of high priority recommendations.

(2)               That the Committee approve the Internal Audit Charter (Appendix F to the report), which had been updated to reflect the requirements of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

There were none.