In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, Councillor Gittings was appointed as Chair for the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting of 25 January 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 report providing an update on key findings emanating from Internal Audit reports issued for the period 1 January to 31 March 2022.

The report set out a summary of the audit reports in respect of: Parks and Grounds Maintenance; Climate Change Strategy; Main Bank  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To receive a report on the Council’s Strategic Risk Register for Quarter 4.

Paul Harrington, Chief Auditor, submitted a schedule updating the Committee on the Q4 status of the Council’s 2021/22 Strategic Risk Register (SRR), in line with the requirements of the Council’s Risk Management Strategy.  The SRR was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the SRR had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

This report sets out the work Internal Audit plans to undertake during the financial year 2022/2023. 

Paul Harrington, Chief Auditor, submitted a report setting out the work Internal Audit was planning to undertake during the financial year 2022/2023.  The report explained that internal audit was responsible for providing an annual formal opinion on the Council’s control environment.  The Audit Plan, which was attached at Appendix 1  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

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 37.

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, Deputy 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 38.

A report on the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy Financial Management Code, which sets out the standards of financial management for local authorities to assess themselves against.

Stuart Donnelly, Financial Planning & Strategy Manager, submitted a report on the The Financial Management Code 2019 (FM Code), which had been introduced by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA).  The Code set out the standards of financial management for local authorities.  Local authorities had been expected to comply  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

This report sets out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2021/22 for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts as at the end of December 2021 (Quarter 3).  The report also sets out performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Stuart Donnelly, Financial Planning & Strategy Manager, submitted a report, which had been considered by Policy Committee on 7 March 2022 (Minute 84 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 December 2021  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

This report outlines the actions in progress to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes for better Information Governance.

Nayana George, Customer Relations & Information Governance Manager, 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 the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

This report updates on progress with the completion of the audit of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2019/20 as at 31^st March 2022.

Mark Sanders, Chief Accountant,submitted a report on progress towards the completion of the audit of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2019/20.  The report detailed the audit work that had been undertaken, includingincome & expenditure sampling; walk through tests; adjusting items; technical assessments of asset valuations, PFI contracts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

To receive the latest External Audit Draft Audit Results Report 2019/20.

The Annual Audit Letter 2018/19 is attached for information only, in accordance with the requirement to issue an annual audit letter to the Council following completion of EY’s audit procedures for the year ended 31 March 2019.

Larisa Midoni, EY, presented the latest External Audit Draft Audit Results Report for 2019/20 and the Annual Audit Letter for 2018/19.  The Audit Letter was required following completion of EY’s audit procedures for the year ended 31 March 2019 and was for noting.  The Committee’s attention was drawn to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.