| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| AU 07/036 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| AU 07/037 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25 June 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| AU 07/038 |
Risk Management Health Check |
The report of the Chief Internal Auditor introduced the outcome of an independent review of the Risk Management Procedures in place within the Council which had been undertaken by Zurich Municipal. The Committee received a copy of the resulting report which was the subject of a presentation by Alan Ross, Zurich Municipal's Business Risk Management Consultant, who had carried out the review. The overall message of the review was that the Council had a robust system of risk management in place although an action plan had been suggested for further improvements. The Director of Finance reported that this would be examined by the Management Team to identify the benefits of further enhancement and would be reported back to the next meeting of the Committee. Mr Ross highlighted the increasing importance of partnerships, of integrating risk management with business planning and preparing for the Comprehensive Area Assessment. Having answered questions raised by Members, he was then thanked by the Chairman for his contribution to the meeting. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL | ||
| AU 07/039 |
Delivering Good Governance in Local Government |
The Committee received the report of the Chief Executive on the publication by CIPFA/SOLACE of a revised framework and guidance which would form the basis on which the Council's approach to Corporate Governance would be measured for the Key Lines of Enquiry review. The Director of Finance outlined the six core principles and supporting principles which would need to be reflected in the local Code of Corporate Governance. A further outcome of the revised framework was that an Annual Corporate Governance Statement would replace the annual Statement on Internal Control in the Accounting Year 2007/08 and Members were informed of action being taken to achieve the requirements of the revised framework. RECOMMENDED: That 1) a review be carried out against the requirements of the revised framework in order to assist full compliance with the principles contained within it; 2) following the review a revised Code of Corporate Governance be prepared for consideration and adoption by the Council; and 3) an action plan be prepared to identify how the supporting evidence can be monitored and performance measured. *Referred to Council |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| AU 07/040 |
Statement of Accounts 2006/07 |
The Director of Finance reported on the outcome of the audit of the Council's Accounts for 2006/07. It was noted that the General Purposes Committee at its meeting on 26 September 2007 had authorised the Chairman to sign the accounts following which the District Auditor had issued an unqualified opinion. A copy of the District Auditor's Annual Governance Report for 2006/07 was also received, there being no material or significant issues needing to be brought to the attention of the Committee. It was noted that the General Purposes Committee had highlighted the importance of all Members submitting related party returns and suggested that this requirement be incorporated within the Members' Code of Conduct. Further possible measures were discussed for ensuring compliance. Questions were raised by Members regarding comments made by the District Auditor on the monitoring of Capital Schemes. Officers gave assurances that this was being examined as part of the Capital Review process due to be presented to Members in January 2008. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/041 |
Internal Audit Outturn 2006/07 |
Members received a report summarising the work carried out by Internal Audit in the last financial year, the Annual Report of the Chief Internal Auditor having been presented to the Committee on 3 April 2007. As previously requested, a schedule was presented of the outcomes of the high priority recommendations and it was 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 and thanks be recorded to the Internal Audit Team for their work during the past year. |
| AU 07/042 |
Audit Work to Date 2007/08 |
The report of the Chief Internal Auditor set out a summary of the audit work completed to date during the current financial year and indicated that there were no matters raised within the report that would have a material effect on the accounts of the Council. Members raised a number of questions or suggestions in connection with individual reports which would be considered by the Internal Audit Team. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 07/043 |
Training - 'Best Practice in Audit Committees' |
The Director of Finance reminded the Committee of a day-time training session on 15 November 2007 facilitated by CIPFA. At Members' request it was agreed that a list of acronyms used in relation to audit be provided during the training session. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| AU 07/044 |
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 07/045 |
Insurance Claims History 2006/07 and 2007/08 (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 periods April 2006 - March 2007 and April 2007 - August 2007. Where appropriate the summary showed action taken to reduce the risk of similar claims arising in the future. RESOLVED: That the claims history and actions taken be noted. |