| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| AU 06/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| AU 06/002 |
Role of the Audit Committee |
As an introduction to the inaugural meeting of the Audit Committee the Director of Finance outlined the role of the Committee as approved by the Council on 13 December 2005. Reference was made to the provision of training to build Members' knowledge and expertise in all the key areas. It was noted that a standing invitation had been given to the District Auditor to attend meetings of the Committee and Mr S Golding (Audit Manager) and Mr M Swinerd (Principal Auditor) were welcomed to the meeting. The Chairman indicated that the Management Team and Monitoring Officer would be asked to review the current restriction in the Constitution on the ability of other Members of the Council to speak at Audit Committee meetings. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| AU 06/003 |
Risk Management Strategy Review |
Consideration was given to the joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Finance reviewing the Risk Management Strategy. It was noted that whilst the Chief Internal Auditor did not recommend any changes to the current strategy, it was the role of the Audit Committee to carry out an independent review and recommend any changes to the Council via the Cabinet. RECOMMENDED: That the current strategy set out at the Annex to the report remain unchanged. *Referred to Cabinet |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| AU 06/004 |
Interim Report of Chief Internal Auditor |
The Director of Finance advised the Committee of the outcome of Internal Audit Reports completed up to February 2006 and asked Members to consider the report as evidence in their consideration of the Statement on Internal Control. Members were invited to select a number of audits for a fuller report and more detailed examination at the next meeting. Reports 12, 35 and 40 were chosen. RESOLVED: That the contents of the report be noted and used as evidence in consideration of the Statement on Internal Control. |
| AU 06/005 |
Statement on Internal Control for Year Ended 31 March 2006 |
The Director of Finance presented the Statement on Internal Control for the year ended 31 March 2006 which was required to be certified by both the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for inclusion in the Council's 2005/06 Statement of Accounts. RESOLVED: That (1) the Statement on Internal Control for the year ended 31 March 2006, as set out at the Annex to the report, be endorsed; and (2) the Statement on Internal Control be recommended for adoption to the General Purposes Committee for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts following certification by the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council. |
| AU 06/006 |
Internal Audit Plan 2006/07 |
The Director of Finance presented the Internal Audit Plan for 2006/07 and reported on a change to a three year strategic plan. Members reviewed the plan and considered its coverage for the forthcoming year. RESOLVED: That the Internal Audit Plan for 2006/07, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be adopted. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| AU 06/007 |
Annual Audit and Inspection Letter |
The Chief Executive reported receipt of the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter produced by the District Auditor and Relationship Manager. Members were pleased to note that the letter was very positive about the Council's performance and finances. A new feature was the requirement to form a judgement on the Council's use of resources which had been awarded a level 3 score "consistently above minimum requirements - performing well". Reference was made to plans to assess the work required to upgrade all the scores for the individual components to level 4. It would then be for the Cabinet to make a judgement on the priority that should be given to achieving the highest level relative to other corporate priorities. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 06/008 |
Auditor's Report on the Best Value Performance Plan 2005/06 |
The Chief Executive reported on the requirement for the District Auditor to carry out an audit on the Council's Best Value Performance Plan ('Spotlight'). A copy of his report was submitted from which it was noted there were no matters or recommendations drawn to Members' attention. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 06/009 |
Confidential Reporting Code |
The joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance referred to the Audit Committee's responsibility to be advised of all concerns reported to the Council using the Confidential Reporting Code. It was noted that there had been no allegations made in the last year using the Code. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 06/010 |
Review of Operational Risk Registers |
The report of the Director of Finance gave details of the findings of a review carried out on the Council's Operational Risk Registers from which it was noted that the Registers had been suitably completed and in the vast majority of cases kept up to date. Members requested the opportunity to consider in more detail individual Services' risk registers. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 06/011 |
Housing Benefits Subsidy Audit 2004/05 |
The Director of Finance reported on the outcome of the Audit Commission's audit of the Council's benefits subsidy claim for the year 2004/05. Attention was drawn to a number of matters upon which the auditor had made recommendations and it was noted that he had identified adjustments to the claim in the Council's favour of some £75,000. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| AU 06/012 |
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 | ||
| AU 06/013 |
Insurance Claims History 2005/06 (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or Business Affairs of Any Particular Person) |
The Director of Finance reported on the nature and volume of liability and property damage insurance claims submitted during the financial year 2005/06 and presented a summary of the action taken to reduce the risk of similar claims arising in the future. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |