This report provides an update on progress by the Finance division to implement the Finance Improvement Programme.

Further to Minute 4 of the meeting held on 14 July 2020, 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 sound foundation and ‘getting the basics’ right.  The second phase would concentrate on embedding Phase I delivery and developing the financial management culture and governance framework across the Council.  The FIP was being led and overseen by the Finance Transformation Board chaired by the Executive Director of Resources. The Board received updates and reports ensuring appropriate challenge and stewardship and monitored progress of delivery against the Project Plan and signed off key deliverables across the six Phase I workstreams, as follows: Accounts payable; Accounts receivable; Chart of accounts; Reconciliations; Final accounts; and Finance system (general ledger and associated modules).  The process was also coordinated to respond to the ‘Audit Tracker’ recommendations (see Minute 15 above).  The report summarised the timescale for delivering the FIP and highlighted each workstream’s terms of reference and progress against the improvement plan.

Resolved:     That the progress being made to implement the Finance Improvement Programme be noted and the action being taken to achieve the ‘deliverables’ be endorsed.