Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Michael Hardware.

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

Councillor Simon Carter declared a pecuniary interest in Item 10 as Council appointed Director of HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd. He would leave the meeting if matters related to HTS were discussed.

Minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Francesca Palmer, BDO, gave an update on the finalisation of the Council’s accounts for 2018/19. She explained that a number of outstanding issues had been resolved and the accounts were close to being in a position where they could be signed off.

None.

None.

The Committee received its current work plan. It noted that the Audited Annual Accounts 2019/20, Management Letter of Representation, and External Auditors Audit Results Report 2019/20 (ISA 260) would be considered at the November meeting. The Annual Audit Letter 2019/20 would be considered at the March meeting. It was also noted that the Review of Internal Audit Charter, Review of Audit & Standards Committee Effectiveness and Terms of Reference, Review of Code of Corporate Governance and Review of Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy would be considered at the August meeting in light of the other changes agreed.

RESOLVED that the work plan is noted.

The Committee received its annual report, which outlined its activities during the last municipal year.

RESOLVED that it is recommended to Full Council that the Annual Report for the Audit and Standards Committee for 2019/20 be agreed.

The Committee received the Internal Audit Team’s annual report, which summarised the results of the internal audit work they had undertaken during the year ending 31 March 2020, and included an overall opinion of the Council’s governance, risk management and control framework.

The Committee received the latest Internal Audit Activity report and reviewed the work undertaken by the Internal Audit Team since the last report received by this Committee.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

The Committee considered the revised Internal Audit Plan for 2020/21. The Committee discussed a number of further revisions and it was agreed that the following changes would be made:

     i)        The Equalities Act and Impact Assessments audit is carried out in 202/21;

    ii)        Work on the Performance Management Framework be deferred; and

   iii)        Service/business planning and risk management be deferred.

RESOLVED that the Committee approved the revised Internal Audit Plan for 2020/21 subject to the following changes:

A     The Equalities Act and Impact Assessments audit is carried out in 202/21;

B    Work on the Performance Management Framework be deferred; and

C    Service/business planning and risk management be deferred.

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.