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

Further to Minute 16 of the meeting held on 12 October 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 report stated that a number of Phase I targeted deliverables had been achieved but there had been delays in delivery of the overall programme due to capacity as a consequence of resources being directed towards priority issues such as closure of accounts, managing Covid related activity and staff sickness. Supplier delays around accounts payable had also affected some activities. Three of the workstreams were nearing completion; Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Chart of Accounts with residual activity expected to be completed by 31 March 2021.  Phase II (developing corporate financial management governance and the overarching financial management environment) would only commence once Phase I workstreams had been completed.  The Audit tracker recommendations continued to be included within individual workstream deliverables where appropriate and were managed as part of the overall Plan.

Resolved:     That the progress being made to implement the Finance Improvement Programme be noted.