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 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 progress against the Phase I plan since the last Committee had continued with the transformation deliverables completed and just four remaining areas to be concluded from the Accounts Receivable workstream.

The financial system implementation stage had commenced and as the Phase I workstreams were coming to conclusion, the Board was undertaking a review of its composition and terms of reference to ensure they were aligned with delivering Phase II of the transformation programme, which encompassed implementation of the new finance system.

The audit tracker recommendations (see Minute 17 above) continued to be included within individual workstream deliverables where appropriate and were managed as part of the overall Plan. There were 7 (previously 34) recommendations within the tracker covered by the Finance Improvement Programme, none of which were now ‘Red’ rated. 

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