Agenda and draft minutes

Members noted the Evacuation Procedure.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minutes of the meeting held Monday 30th September 2024 were agreed as a true record.

Officers from Forvis Mazars presented an Audit Progress Report to Members, the purpose of the report was to provide an update to the Council on the 2023/24 Audit.

Forvis Mazars were able to inform members that good progress had been made across all areas of the accounts, and that there were no matters that Officers were aware of that would require modifications of the audit opinions at that stage. However, this would be subject to the timely and satisfactory completion of remaining audit work.

The backstop date for the 2023/24 Audit for completion was 28th February 2025, in order to prevent the audit opinion from potentially being affected Forvis Mazars would work closely with Council Officers on a management plan for the provision of the remaining documentation to ensure that Officers would have sufficient time to conclude on the work.

Members Agreed to note the update.

Officers presented the Anit-Fraud and Corruption Strategy to Members with the purpose of the report being to advise Members of the Anti-Fraud and Corruption arrangements for the period 2024-2025.

The strategy was endorsed by senior management with a foreword provided by the Director of Finance, Development & Regeneration as the responsible finance officer and the Chair of the Audit Committee reflecting the importance of tackling fraud within the authority.

At the core of the code was understanding the Council’s fraud risk and ensuring adequate resources were provided to address the areas of greatest risk.

Members Agreed to note the report.

The Treasury Management Mid Term Review report informed Members of the performance against the treasury management and prudential indicators set in the Treasury Management Strategy approved by Council in February 2024.

Officers highlighted several sections of the report to members they were as follows:

The authorities long term borrowing had reduced, Officers explained this was partly due to the repayment of a short-term loan which had not been replaced and the repayment of principal on long term loans.

 Lender’s Option Borrower’s Option (LOBO) Loans were also discussed with members, Officers explained that the only way the Council can end them early was if the Banks approach the Council. Two of the Council’s LOBO loans had been repaid through this method recently.

Officers noted the Councils investments to members, explaining that the Council doesn’t hold money unnecessarily but seeks to use any monies to generate an income. Members asked how Officers made the judgment on investment levels, it was explained that Officers use a treasury management budget which forecast the investment returns.

Members agreed to note the report.

Members noted the report and the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee thanks both Members and Officers for their support.

Members agreed to note the report.

Members were presented with the Corporate Risk Register Update and Internal Audit Activity Report.

The Committee was reminded that quarterly reports on the Corporate Risk Register was presented for the purpose of reviewing the key risks that had been identified as having the potential to deflect services from achieving their objectives over the next 12 months and beyond. The report also set out the actions being taken to ensure that the risks, and possible adverse outcomes, were minimised. As a reminder, risks were scored on a scale of one to five for both ‘impact’ and ‘likelihood’.

The main topics highlighted were as follows:

•              The waste service section has changed to an amber. Officers were comfortable to change the rating due to plan which had been implemented.

•              An informal review took place around the Safe System of Care for Adults, and it was moved from amber to green.

•              The Cost-of-Living section had also been moved to amber.

Officers then moved onto the Audit Activity Report, which informed members of the progress of audit testing to date and presented a forward plan of the testing and resources.

The audit was broken down into controls, with Officers explaining that the more important controls being monitored more closely. The results of the audit were then further broken down into themes, Officers were reviewing the current list to improve readability for members.

The Cash handling theme was highlighted to members, with Officers explaining that a small issue around VAT had been raised and solutions had been found and put in place.

HR data training target was also noted, Officers explained that the current target for completion was 95% but with staff turnover it had been difficult to achieve. Members asked if the staff turnover issue had been brought to Director’s attention, Officers confirmed that all relevant Directors had been notified, and work was in progress.

Members Agreed to note the report.

The Forward Plan was noted.