The Chair proposed a vote of thanks to David Stevens, who had previously chaired the Audit & Governance Committees since its establishment in May 2011.  Councillor Dennis and Councillor Mitchell added their appreciation of David’s service to the Audit & Governance Committee and the Council generally, which he had been a member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Minutes of the meeting of 12 April 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A question on the following matter was submitted, in accordance with Standing Order 36(2):

(The full text of the question and reply was made available on the Reading Borough Council website).

This report presents the annual assurance report of the Chief Auditor required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations and the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

Paul Harrington, Chief Auditor, submitted a report setting out at Appendix 1 the Internal Audit Annual Assurance Report of the Chief Auditor, as required by the Accounts and Audit regulations and the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.  The report gave the Chief Auditor’s opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

This report provides an update on key findings emanating from Internal Audit reports issued since the last quarterly progress report.

Paul Harrington, Chief Auditor, submitted a reportproviding an update on key findings emanating from Internal Audit reports issued for the period 1 April to 30 June 2022. The report set out a summary of the audit reports in respect of: Treasury Management; Accounts Receivable; and Client Contributions. The report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

This report presents the updated Risk Management Policy and Procedure document for consideration and onward submission to Policy Committee in September 2022. The document has been updated to reflect best practice and to incorporate a formal Risk Management Procedure including clear instructions on how to utilise the SharePoint site to record and update risks. The aim of the Policy is to identify, analyse and appropriately manage potential threats and opportunities posed by risk.

Paul Harrington, Chief Auditor,briefed the meeting on a report on the updated Risk Management Policy and Procedure document for consideration before onward submission to Policy Committee on 21 September 2022.  The document had been updated to reflect best practice and to incorporate a formal Risk Management Procedure including clear  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

This report provides an update on progress of the Programme workstreams and their deliverables against the Plan since the last meeting.

Chris Tidswell, CIPFA, presented a report providing an update on progress of the Finance Improvement Programme (FIP) against the plan for each workstream and their deliverables.  The report explained that the FIP had two key phases:  Phase I was responding to the historic and current issues identified to ensure a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

This report provides an update on the actions in progress to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes around Information Governance. 

Michael Graham, Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services, presented a report outlining the action underway to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes for Information Governance following several limited assurance reports in this area.

The report provided an update on: recruitment to key posts in the Information Governance Team and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

This report sets out a summary of those high and medium risk Internal Audit recommendations which remain outstanding together with an updated management response.

Jackie Yates, Acting Chief Executive, presented a report setting out progress with the Implementation of Audit Recommendations.

The report explained that each recommendation set out in Appendix 1 was marked with a percentage complete which correlated to a red/amber/green rating (up to 25% complete: red, between 26% and 75%: amber,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

This report fulfils the requirement in the Treasury Management Strategy to produce an Annual Outturn Report to review the Treasury Management activity which took place from 1^st April 2021 to 31^st March 2022.

Darren Carter, Director of Finance, submitted a report on the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2021/22.  The Treasury Management Strategy required an Annual Outturn Report reviewing the Treasury Management activity which had taken place during the year.

The report stated that the Council had continued to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

This 2021/22 Quarter 4 Performance and Monitoring Report was presented to Policy Committee on 11 July 2022 and sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn positions for the Council’s General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2021/22.  The report also sets out performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Darren Carter, Director of Finance, submitted a report, which had been considered by Policy Committee on 11 July 2022 (Minute 18 refers) setting out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2021/22 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts as at the end of March 2022 (Quarter  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

This report provides an update on progress to complete the audit of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2019/20 and the preparation for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 accounts.

Mark Sanders, Chief Accountant, submitted a report on progress towards the completion of the audit of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2019/20 and the preparation for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 accounts.

In relation to the 2019/20 accounts, there were two areas of work in progress which had now been completed,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To receive an update from the Council’s external auditors.

Adrian Balmer, Ernst & Young (EY), gave a brief verbal update from the external auditors’ perspective on the position in relation to the audit of the accounts for 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Resolved:    That the progress update by EY be noted.