Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Michael Hardware and Shannon Jezzard.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

Councillors Simon Carter and Chris Vince both declared pecuniary interests in matters related specifically to HTS by virtue as their remuneration as Councillor Directors.

Councillor Stefan Mullard declared a non-pecuniary interest in items 10 and 11 as a member of the Harlow Playhouse Trust.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2018.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2018 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Carter noted at the previous meeting it was agreed that a task and finish group would be established to look at the appointment of an independent person to the Committee. Councillor Mullard confirmed he would start working on this soon. 

None.

None.

The Committee received its current work plan.

RESOLVED that the work plan is noted.

The Committee received the annual report on the Certification of Grant Claims and Returns from the previous external auditors, Ernst & Young.

The Committee expressed it thanks to the Revenues and Benefits team for the exceptionally accurate work carried out in the benefit administration.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Committee noted the report.

The Committee received a report which outlined the rationale behind the proposed annual audit plan, which was set out in Appendix A to the report, and had been planned by BDO, the external auditor.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Committee noted the report and planned audit work to be undertaken by BDO the Council’s new external audit provider.

The Committee received a report proposing the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Members of the Committee considered that the effectiveness and contribution that the Strategy and Plan made, met the criteria within the Council’s assurance framework.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2019/20 is approved.

The Committee received the Period 11 Internal Audit Activity Report which showed the progress being made against the Audit Plan since the last meeting of this Committee.

It was noted that there was a proposal to defer three audits.

RESOLVED that:

A     The three audits be deferred as detailed in the report.

The Committee received its proposed 2019/20 work plan and proposed training programme for Councillors.

RESOLVED that:

A     The work plan and training programme for the 2019/20 municipal year are agreed.

The Committee received a report on the Risk Management Appetite.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Risk Management Appetite as set out in the report is agreed.

B     A Risk Maturity Assessment is carried out and the findings are reported back to the Committee during 2019/20.

C     A Risk Appetite Framework is established and reported back to the Committee during 2019/20.

Any references arising from meetings held after the publication of this agenda will be circulated separately.

None.

To deal with any matters of an urgent nature.

None.