| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| AU 09/009 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| AU 09/010 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 10 February 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 | ||
| AU 09/011 |
Annual Governance Statement 2008/09 |
The Director of Finance presented the Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31 March 2009 which was required to be certified by both the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for inclusion in the Council's 2008/09 Statement of Accounts. Consideration was given to the Statement, prepared by way of a self assessment questionnaire and supporting evidence, which was annexed to the report. Members requested that an explanation of the selection process be reported to the appropriate Advisory Board when the Residents' Panel was next reappointed. RESOLVED: That (1) the Annual Governance Statement, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed; and (2) the Annual Governance Statement be recommended for adoption to the General Purposes Committee for inclusion in the 2008/09 Statement of Accounts. |
| AU 09/012 |
Internal Audit Plan 2009/10 and Three Year Plan |
The Chief Internal Auditor presented the proposed Internal Audit Operational Plan for the year 2009/10 and the Three Year Strategic Plan to 2011/12. It was noted that extensive consultation with Chief Officers had taken place to ensure emerging risks were covered in the Plan. RESOLVED: That the Internal Audit Operational Plan for 2009/10 and Three Year Strategic Plan, as set out at Annexes 1 and 2 to the report, be adopted. |
| AU 09/013 |
Audit Commission Data Quality Review Report 2007/08 |
The report of the Management Team gave details of the work undertaken by the Audit Commission in reviewing the Council's arrangements for data quality. A copy of the Audit Commission report was received which covered three stages including a review of management arrangements, an analytical review of BVPI and non-BVPI data and data quality spot checks. It was noted that the work mandated nationally by the Commission in 2007/08 included work on two housing benefit performance indicators. Details were given of the ways in which the three recommendations arising from the report were being addressed. RESOLVED: That the Audit Commission's report be noted and the Council's response to the report's recommendations be endorsed. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| AU 09/014 |
Chief Internal Auditor's Annual Report |
The Committee received the annual report on work carried out by the Internal Audit Section during 2008/09 which was required as part of the evidence supporting the conclusions of the Annual Governance Statement. A copy of the brochure outlining the role and objectives of Internal Audit was attached to the report together with a further update on the outcome of completed audits undertaken during 2008/09. The Committee was advised that it was the opinion of the Chief Internal Auditor that an adequate and effective internal control environment had been in place during the financial year 2008/09. Members asked a number of detailed questions on the contents of the report which were answered by the officers. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 09/015 |
Annual Audit and Inspection Letter |
The report of the Chief Executive informed the Committee of the receipt of the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter, providing an overall summary of the Audit Commission's assessment of the Council and drawing on audit inspection and performance assessment work prepared by the Relationship Manager. Claire Bryce-Smith, Comprehensive Area Assessment (CCA) Head, presented the Audit Commission's letter focussing on the key messages contained within it. Members were pleased to note that the letter had been very positive about the Council's performance and finances, demonstrating that the Council continued to perform in a manner befitting its status as an 'Excellent' Council. Members asked a range of questions on the inspection letter and the challenges to be faced under the new CCA regime which were answered by the District Audit team. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| AU 09/016 |
Report of Benefits Subsidy Audit 2007/08 |
The report of the Director of Finance introduced the background to and findings of the Audit Commission's Housing and Council Tax Benefit Audit 2007/08. It was noted that the findings were generally positive with no issues necessitating financial adjustment to the 2007/08 final subsidy claim. Details were given of the way in which recommendations on two issues were being addressed. It was noted that this was the last meeting to be attended by Graham Short, Principal Auditor, and Members thanked him for his positive work with the Council and wished him well for the future. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| AU 09/017 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
No matters were considered in private. |