| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| AU 06/023 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| AU 06/024 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 26 June 2006 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| AU 06/025 |
Audit Committee Training |
In order to consolidate Members' knowledge and understanding of the risk management element of the terms of reference of the Audit Committee, a presentation was given by officers on the topic of "Risk Awareness and Risk Management". The Director of Finance referred to a full day of training to be provided by CIPFA on "Effective Audit Committees" which had been booked for 27 November 2006. In view of the Council's constitutional arrangements and system of decision making, it was considered that training on risk assessment and management should be extended to all Members. The Director of Finance undertook to make appropriate arrangements in due course. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| AU 06/026 |
Local Code of Corporate Governance |
The Committee received the report of the Chief Executive updating the Local Code of Corporate Governance originally introduced in September 2003. A revised Code was presented incorporating amendments to reflect new policies which had been introduced. Members highlighted a number of instances where reference should be made to the role of the Audit Committee and requested that the wording of the dimensions of corporate governance should be consistent with the Constitution. RECOMMENDED: That the revised Code of Corporate Governance, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be commended to the Council for adoption subject to ensuring that the wording conforms with the Constitution. |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| AU 06/027 |
Internal Audit Terms of Reference - Internal Audit Charter |
The report of the Director of Finance presented a revised Internal Audit Charter setting out the Internal Audit Section Terms of Reference. The Committee was requested to review the Charter to ensure compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Auditors in the United Kingdom. Members identified a number of drafting amendments at paragraphs 5.1, 11.3 and 14.3 and suggested that there be a generalist reference in the text to Internal Audit retaining the ability to undertake unplanned, unannounced audits. It was also suggested that Members of the Committee be given the opportunity to attend the offices to view an audit being carried out. RESOLVED: That the revised Internal Audit Charter set out at the annex to the report, as amended, be endorsed. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| AU 06/028 |
Statement of Accounts 2005/06 |
The Director of Finance informed the Committee of the outcome of the Audit of the Council's accounts for 2005/06. Following approval by the General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 27 September 2006 the District Auditor had issued an unqualified opinion. A copy of the District Auditor's Annual Governance Report for the financial year 2005/06 encompassing a Value for Money opinion was circulated. It was noted that the external auditors would be issuing a detailed audit report for management purposes which would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 06/029 |
Matters Arising from Confidential Reporting Code |
The Director of Finance reported on matters investigated as a result of two concerns raised through the Confidential Reporting Code. More detailed discussion of the individual cases took place in the private part of the meeting (LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 1 - Information relating to an individual). RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 06/030 |
Internal Audit Outturn 2005/06 |
The report of the Director of Finance summarised the work carried out by Internal Audit in the last financial year, the Interim Report of the Chief Internal Auditor having been presented to the Committee on 6 April 2006. A correction was made to the table at paragraph 1.4.3 of the report showing the final outcome of recommendations made during 2005/06. The Committee noted that it was the Chief Internal Auditor's opinion that the overall levels of assurance indicated that there were sound internal controls operating within the Council. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| AU 06/031 |
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 | ||
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| AU 06/032 |
Insurance Claims History 2006/07 (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 period April - September 2006 and presented a summary of the action taken to reduce the risk of similar claims arising in the future. RESOLVED: That the claims history and actions taken be noted. |