| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| GP 09/021 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| GP 09/022 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 6 April 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| GP 09/023 |
Confidential Reporting Code |
The report of the Director of Finance gave details of a review of the Confidential Reporting Code. It highlighted an amendment which had been made to take account of the appointment of the Central Services Director as Monitoring Officer. It was noted that the Audit Committee at its meeting on 22 June 2009 had commended the revised Code for endorsement. RESOLVED: That the revised Confidential Reporting Code set out at the Annex to the report be endorsed. |
| GP 09/024 |
Statement of Accounts 2008/09 |
The Director of Finance presented for approval the Statement of Accounts for 2008/09 in the format specified by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. A number of changes which had been made to the Accounts with effect from 2008/09 were explained. It was noted that the Accounts included the proposals considered by the Cabinet on 17 June 2009. Details were given of a late adjustment to the Accounts following publication to reflect a VAT claim(s) amounting to £1.1m that H M Revenue and Customs had recently notified the Council had been accepted. Copies of the updated pages showing the amended tables and text in the Statement had been circulated at the meeting of the Audit Committee on 22 June 2009 and subsequently to all Members of the Council. The Committee was advised that whilst the Council had started to receive payment on most of the claims, clarification was awaited from H M Revenue and Customs regarding the timescale for receipt of interest anticipated at around half a million pounds. Attention was drawn to the Balance Sheet which showed that some of the Council's property assets had fallen in value due to the current economic climate and reference was made to the effect of the Pension Fund deficit on the Council's net worth. Members acknowledged the work of officers in monitoring and controlling expenditure against the budget and in investigating and pursuing the VAT claims. The favourable outturn position compared to the revised estimate was welcomed as a buffer to underpin and support the Medium Term Financial Strategy. RESOLVED: That (1) the Statement provided by the Director of Finance in support of assertions made in the Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts, as set out at Annex 2 to the report, be noted and endorsed; (2) the recommendation following a review of specific earmarked reserves that no adjustments are made at this time be noted and endorsed; and (3) the Statement of Accounts for 2008/09, incorporating the revised pages circulated separately, be received and approved and the Chairman be authorised to sign the Accounts in the appropriate place. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| GP 09/025 |
Accounts and Audit Regulations |
The Director of Finance reported on the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper on amending the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 to improve transparency of reporting of remuneration of senior officers in public bodies. It was noted that the Council had responded to an earlier consultation on this matter. Disappointment was expressed that the comments had not been taken into account and that DCLG appeared intent on pressing ahead with the proposal. Members supported the further response which had been made. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| GP 09/026 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
The Chairman moved, it was seconded and RESOLVED: That as public discussion would disclose exempt information, the following matters be considered in private. |
| PART 2 - PRIVATE | ||
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| GP 09/027 |
Investors in People Post Recognition Review Report (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) |
The report of the Central Services Director provided information on the Investors in People Standard (IiP) and advised the Committee of the Council's recent IiP re-accreditation. The full version of the IiP assessor's report was presented at the Annex. Members welcomed the positive feedback within the report which affirmed the Council's approach to staff management and development. It was noted that the suggestions made by the assessor would be adopted as part of the Council's drive for continuous improvement. The Committee requested that suitable publicity be given to the re-accreditation report. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |