Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and to note the presence of any substitute members.

Apologies were received from Councillors Sara Bedford and David Major.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25 July  2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the meeting.

The Risk Management Strategy was last reviewed in March 2022 and is reviewed every two years. Audit Committee is asked to consider the latest revision of the Councils Risk Management Strategy before it is presented to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee.

Recommendation:

That Audit Committee recommend the adoption of the updated Risk Management Strategy to Policy and Resources Committee.

Phil King, Data Protection and Resilience Manager, presented the Risk Management Strategy report. The Risk Management Strategy was last reviewed in March 2022 and is reviewed every two years. Audit Committee is asked to consider the latest revision of the Councils Risk Management Strategy before it is presented to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED: to note the Risk Management Report.

This report sets out the latest position for external audit of the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 and 2023/24 including an update of the expected backstop arrangements.

Recommendation:

To note the update in relation to the 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 external audits.

Alison Scott, Director of Finance, presented the report. The report sets out the latest position for external audit of the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 and 2023/24 including an update on the expected backstop arrangements.

Members discussed the backstop arrangements and the countrywide issue of getting audited accounts settled.

The Director of Finance gave reassurance to Committee that the new auditors, Azets had conducted an interim audit this year and would complete the audit next week. Discussions were taking place with Azets regarding them undertaking assurance work around the general fund balance.   

RESOLVED: that the Committee noted the Statement of Accounts update.

This report advises the Committee on the latest position in respect of the evaluation of financial risks facing the Council for discussion and any recommendations or comments they wish to make.

Recommendation:

That the Committee review the risk register and make any comments it wishes to make against individual risks.

Alison Scott, Director of Finance, presented the report. The report advised the Committee on the latest position in respect of the evaluation of financial risks facing the Council for discussion and any recommendations or comments they wish to make.

Members discussed the retrospective pay award. The Director of Finance reassured Members that every year there was a contingency in the budget for the pay award.

RESOLVED: that the Financial Budgetary Risk Report was noted.

To consider the Internal Audit Update Report which details progress made by the Shared Internal Audit Service (SIAS) in delivering the Council’s annual audit plan for 2024/25 as at 13 September 2024, proposed amendments to the plan, implementation status of all agreed audit recommendations from 2019/20 onwards and an update on performance management as at 13 September 2024.

Recommendations:

       i.          Note the Internal Audit Progress Report for the period to 13 September 2024.

      ii.          Approve amendments to the Audit Plan as at 13 September 2024.

     iii.          Agree changes to the implementation date for 5 audit recommendations (paragraph 2.5) for the reason set out in appendices 3 to 6.

    iv.          Agree removal of implemented audit recommendations (appendices 3 to 6).

Leigha Britnell, Client Audit Manager, presented the report. The Internal Audit Update Report detailed progress made by the Shared Internal Audit Service (SIAS) in delivering the Council’s annual audit plan for 2024/25 as at 13 September 2024, proposed amendments to the plan, implementation status of all agreed audit recommendations from 2019/20 onwards and an update on performance management as at 13 September 2024.

RESOLVED:

       i.          to NOTE the Internal Audit Progress Report for the period to 13 September 2024.

      ii.          to APPROVE amendments to the Audit Plan as at 13 September 2024.

     iii.          to AGREE changes to the implementation date for 5 audit recommendations (paragraph 2.5) for the reason set out in appendices 3 to 6.

    iv.          to AGREE removal of implemented audit recommendations (appendices 3 to 6).

This report sets out the Audit Committee’s latest work programme to enable the Committee to make updates as required.

Recommendation:

That the Committee consider and makes necessary changes to its’ Work Programme.

The Audit Committee Work Programme was noted.