Meeting documents

Audit Committee
Wednesday, 8th January, 2014 6.30 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
658 Apologies and substitutions.
 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hadley, Lamb (Substitute: Cllr Evans) and D Garston
659 Declarations of interest.
 The following declarations of interest were made:-

(a) Councillor Betson - Matters in relation to South Essex Homes - Non-pecuniary interest - Member of South Essex Homes Board

(b) Councillor Ware-Lane - Matters in relation to South Essex Homes - Non-pecuniary interest - Daughter Works for South Essex Homes.

(c) Councillor Walker - Matters in relation to South Essex Homes - Non-pecuniary interest - Member of South Essex Homes Board.
660 Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 25th September, 2013
 Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25th September 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.
661 Actions from last meeting
 (a) Minute 304 - Statement of Accounts
In accordance with the request made at the last meeting, the Head of Finance and Resources confirmed that Members had been provided with information on the capital commitments in relation to St. Mary's School and Prittlewell Priory Museum.

(b) Minute 306 - Summary Audit Progress and Counter Fraud Update Report
Members noted that in considering the Counter Fraud Update Report, they would be advised of the position on the data matches under the National Fraud Initiative (housing benefit claimants)
662 Corporate Risk Register 2013/14
Business for item 662
Resolved:-

That the updated Corporate Risk Register for 2013/14, be noted.
663 Treasury Management Policy
Business for item 663
Resolved:-

That subject to the inclusion of an amendment to the above Statement in relation to the value of leases, the Treasury Management Policy for 2014/15, be endorsed.
664 BDO: Progress Report to Those Charged with Governance
Business for item 664
Resolved:-

That the progress made in delivering the Annual Audit Plan for 2013/14 and the relevant progress on Audit recommendations, be noted.
665 BDO: Grant Claims and Returns Certification Report 2012/13
Business for item 665
 
666 BDO: Annual Audit Letter 2012/13
Business for item 666
Resolved:-

That the Annual Audit Letter for 2012/13, be approved.
667 Summary Audit Progress Report
Business for item 667
Resolved:-

That the progress made in delivering the Internal Audit Strategy for 2013/14, be noted.
668 Counter Fraud Update Report
Business for item 668
Resolved:-

That the progress made in delivering the Key Corporate Counter Fraud Plan Performance Targets and the Fighting Fraud Locally requirements, be noted.
669 Information Items
 The Committee noted the following documents:

• Annual Regulatory Compliance and Quality Report (Audit Commission)
• Protecting the Public Purse 2013 (Audit Commission)
• Audit Committee Update, Issue 12 (CIPFA Better Governance Forum)
• Final Fee Outturn 2012/13 (BDO)
18:30/20:40

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor P M Collins (Chairman)
Councillor I T Robertson (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors M A Betson, M F Evans*, C W Walker, J G S Ware-Lane, R A Woodley
R Everitt (Co-opted Member)

(*Substitute in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31)
In attendance:
J Chesterton, L Everard, G Mortimer, E Allen, D Kleinberg, T MacGregor, C Gamble, D Eagles (BDO), A Langridge (BDO)

Business

ItemBusiness
662The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive and Town Clerk setting out the revised Corporate Risk Register for 2013/14. This had been updated following consideration by the Corporate Management Team on 18th December 2013.
663The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services presenting the Treasury Management Policy for 2014/15 comprising the following documents:

- Treasury Management Policy Statement for 2014/15
- Treasury Management Strategy for 2014/15
- Annual Investment Strategy for 2014/15

On consideration of the Treasury Management Policy Statement, the Head of Finance and Resources undertook to include the total value of the leases used to finance the purchase or use of assets.
664The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services on the progress made in delivering the 2013/14 Annual Audit Plan.

On consideration of the report, Members noted that the audit certificate for 2011/12 remained outstanding as the response to an objection to the accounts had not been finalised. The Head of Finance and Resources undertook to follow up the matter internally and with External Auditors to enable the matter to be concluded.

In considering the observations set out in the 2012/13 Audit recommendations on adult social care income, Members expressed concern that the value of property of adult social care clients in care was based on the use of a website rather than an assessment by a property valuer. The Head of Finance and Resources undertook to ask the relevant Service for their views on an arrangement whereby a property valuer would be engaged to undertake the valuations with the cost of such work being met by the clients concerned.
665Members noted that a report on the above matter would be prepared for submission to the next meeting of the Committee and that the progress on any recommendations from External Auditors would form part of the regular progress report to those charged with governance.
666The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services presenting the External Auditor's Annual Audit Letter for 2012/13.
667The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services providing an update on the progress made in delivering the Internal Audit Strategy for 2013/14.
668The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services providing an update on the progress made in delivering the requirements of Fighting Fraud Locally. The Council had entered into a Fraud Services Joint Working Agreement with Thurrock Council until 31st March 2014.

 

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