Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To inform the Committee on the progress of the review of parliamentary constituency boundaries being carried out by the Boundary Commission for England.

The Committee were updated on the progress of the review of parliamentary constituency boundaries being carried out by the Boundary Commission for England (BCE).

A proposal to support the recommendation as set out by Nottinghamshire Member of Parliament was proposed by Councillor P J Owen and seconded by Councillor J M Owen. A recorded vote was proposed Councillor P J Owen and seconded by Councillor P D Simpson.

For                          Against                    Abstention

E Cubley                 J Patrick                  M Handley

J M Owen                H E Skinner             E Williamson

P D Simpson           I Tyler

P J Owen                D K Watts

                              G Marshall                                                  

                               S J Carr

On being put to the meeting the motion was defeated.

A proposal to support the recommendation as set out by BCE was proposed by Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor D K Watts. A recorded vote was proposed Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor D K Watts.

For                          Against                    Abstention

J Patrick                 E Cubley                 M Handley

H E Skinner             J M Owen                E Williamson

I Tyler                     P D Simpson

D K Watts               P J Owen

G Marshall

S J Carr

RESOLVED to support in principle the proposed changes to the Broxtowe Constituency boundaries which have been proposed by the Boundary Commission and opposes any alternative proposal which would result in Beeston being split into two for parliamentary purposes.

To seek approval for the amendments to the Code of Conduct and Arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints, prior to recommending to Council for adoption.

The Committee considered the Code of Conduct and Arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints, prior to recommending to Council for adoption.

The Localism Act 2011 section 27, places the Council under a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct. In discharging this duty, the Council is required to adopt a Code dealing with the conduct that is expected of its Members and Co-opted Members.

RECOMMENDED the locally amended Code of Conduct at appendix 2 and arrangements at appendix 3, for adoption to Full Council, to be implemented from 11 May 2022 with an additional review of the Code being undertaken in 12 months.

To provide Members with any updates made to the Council’s accounting policies in relation to the production of the 2021/22 financial statements.

Members noted the updates made to the Council’s accounting policies in relation to the production of the 2021/22 financial statements.

It was noted that the 2021/2022 Statement of Accounts was prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2021/22

RESOLVED that the Accounting Policies for 2021/22 be approved.

To provide Members with information regarding the assumptions made by the pension fund actuary in calculating the IAS19 figures to be reported in the 2021/22 Statement of Accounts.

Members noted the assumptions made by the pension fund actuary in calculating the IAS19 figures to be reported in the 2021/22 Statement of Accounts.

To approve the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register and the action plans identified to mitigate risks.

The Committee considered the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register and the action plans identified to mitigate risks.

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Strategic Risk Register and the actions to mitigate risks as set out in appendix 2 be approved.

To approve the Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23

The Committee noted the Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23.

The plan had been prepared in accordance with the principles of the Internal Audit Charter.  The plan had recognised the Council’s priorities as outlined in the Corporate Plan and links closely to the corporate risk management and business planning processes having been prepared with due consideration to the identified strategic risks.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23 be approved.

To inform the Committee of the recent work completed by Internal Audit.

The Committee noted the recent work completed by Internal Audit. It was noted that Internal Audit had also reviewed progress made by management in implementing agreed actions within six months of the completion of the respective audits. 

The Housing Ombudsman has made a finding of injustice in respect of a lack of repairs undertaken to a complainant’s property.

The Committee noted the findings of Housing Ombudsman (HO) had made in relation of injustice in respect of a lack of repairs undertaken to a complainant’s property. Concern was raised over the findings of the HO and the Complaints Department. It was noted that the functions and performance of the Housing Repairs Department was currently being reviewed by the Housing Committee.  

RESOLVED that a recommendation be made to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to undertake a review of the Housing Repairs Department.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved with the addition of the review of the Code of Conduct being added.