| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| AU 07/022 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| AU 07/023 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 3 April 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| AU 07/024 |
Presentation - The Work of Internal Audit |
A presentation was given by officers on the work of Internal Audit particularly for the benefit of new Members. The various stages of an audit were explained culminating in a report on outcomes to the Audit Committee. An opportunity was then given for Members to ask questions on the process. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| AU 07/025 |
Review of Risk Management Strategy |
Consideration was given to the joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Finance regarding the annual review of the Risk Management Strategy. Attention was drawn to a number of proposed changes designed to raise the profile of risk management and provide additional evidence of it being embedded within the organisation. It was noted that arrangements were being made for Risk Management training for all Members of the Council and details would be given in due course. RECOMMENDED: That the revised Risk Management Strategy set out at Annex 1 to the report be commended to the Council for adoption. |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| AU 07/026 |
Review of Confidential Reporting Code |
The joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Finance gave details of a review of the Confidential Reporting Code. It highlighted two issues which had necessitated a revision to the Code to reflect the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter legislation and the requirement for the Chief Internal Auditor to be notified of all suspected or detected fraud, corruption or impropriety. RESOLVED: That the revised Confidential Reporting Code set out at Annex 1 to the report be commended to the General Purposes Committee for endorsement. |
| AU 07/027 |
CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit |
The Director of Finance reported on a review carried out against the latest CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit checklist. As a result of the review a revised Audit Charter was presented for adoption. During discussion Members emphasised the importance of all staff complying with the regulations and procedures that were in place and, in particular, adhering to the timescales for reporting on routine matters as well as planned investigations. RESOLVED: That (1) the Audit Committee Chairman and Chief Internal Auditor report to the Audit Committee annually on the work and effectiveness of the Committee; (2) the revised Audit Charter set out at Annex 2 to the report be approved for adoption; and (3) there shall be an understanding that all staff will apply the regulations and procedures in place and, in the performance of routine tasks as well as planned investigations, shall be encouraged to comply with the necessary timescales to enable the Council's corporate commitments to be met. |
| AU 07/028 |
Statement of Accounts 2006/07 |
The Director of Finance presented the Statement of Accounts for 2006/07 in the format specified by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. It was noted that the accounts included a number of adjustments considered by the Cabinet on 20 June 2007. The role of the Audit Committee was to consider and peruse the Statement of Accounts and make recommendations as deemed appropriate to the General Purposes Committee to which responsibility for approval was delegated under the Council's constitutional arrangements. Members sought an explanation of a number of aspects of the accounts including the deficit on the income and expenditure account and pension costs which were answered by the officers. The Director of Finance referred to training sessions which had been arranged on an Introduction to Local Government Finance (17 September) and Local Authority Accounts (7 November). 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 adjustments and contributions in respect of the special projects reserve and other earmarked reserves, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be noted and endorsed; and (3) the Statement of Accounts 2006/07 be commended to the General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2007. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| AU 07/029 |
Annual Report on the Work of the Audit Committee 2006/07 |
Members received the joint report of the Director of Finance and the former Chairman of the Audit Committee which provided an annual report on the work undertaken by the Committee during 2006/07 as part of the overall corporate governance process of the Council. It was noted that the Committee had become established in a very short space of time and had attained the objective of providing an additional independent level of assurance. It had also provided a focal point for all matters of corporate governance to be discussed and raised the profile of risk management within the organisation. Suggestions previously made that Members of the Committee shadow Internal Audit staff during an investigation had yet to be progressed. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/030 |
Review of Operational Risk Registers 2006/07 |
The Director of Finance reported on the findings of a review carried out on the Council's Operational Risk Registers. Further guidance on the completion of the registers had been issued, a copy of which was annexed to the report. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/031 |
Annual Audit and Inspection Letter |
The Chief Executive reported receipt of the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter which provided an overall summary of the Audit Commission's assessment of the Council. Members were pleased to note that the letter was very positive about the Council's performance and finances and in terms of the Use of Resources assessment, an overall score of three out of four had been awarded denoting that the Council was "performing well - consistently above minimum requirements". Mr S Golding provided an introduction to the work of the District Auditor and outlined the timescale for issue of the three key reports: the Audit Plan, the Governance Report and the Audit and Inspection Letter. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/032 |
Audit Commission - Work Programme and Fee Scales 2007/08 |
The Director of Finance reported receipt of the Audit Commission's Work Programme and Fee Scales for 2007/08. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/033 |
Audit and Inspection Plan 2007/08 |
The joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Finance presented the Audit and Inspection Plan for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for 2007/08. Attention was drawn to some forthcoming changes in the District Audit Team and Mr S Golding (who would be replaced by Mr T Greenlee as Audit Manager) was invited to introduce the report and answer questions raised by Members. Whilst the fees set out in the Plan were within budget provision, Members commented on the significant increase especially in the context of the Government's requirement for local authorities to make two and a half percent savings year on year. A request was also made for a commitment from the external auditors to give advance warning of any changes in fees and to provide timely certification of routine work to enable the Council to meet its own statutory deadlines. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/034 |
Housing Benefits Subsidy Audit 2005/06 |
This item was withdrawn since the draft report on the outcome of the Audit Commission's audit of the Council's benefits subsidy claim was currently being discussed with officers and would be reported to a future meeting. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| AU 07/035 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
No items were considered in private. |