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 18 July 2022

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Governance, Audit and Standards Committee is asked to NOTE the report which provides an update on progress indelivering our repsonsibilities as external auditor.

The Committee noted the updated provided by the Council’s external audits, Mazars.

This report sets out the assessment by the designated Section 151 Officer of the Council’s Going Concern status.

Members noted the assessment by the designed Section 151 Officer of the Council’s Going Concern status. The concept of a ‘going concern’assumes that an authority, its functions and services would continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.  This assumption underpins the accounts drawn up under the Local Authority Code of Accounting Practice and was made because local authorities carry out functions essential to the community and are themselves revenue-raising bodies (with limits on their revenue-raising powers arising only at the discretion of central government).

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

The Committee considered 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.

To provide the Committee with an update to the ‘Governance Dashboard’ relating to the Council’s major projects.

The Committee were provided with an update to the Governance Dashboard relating to the Council’s major projects.

It was noted that the Council currently had three major projects in progress: the redevelopment of Beeston Square, the Housing Delivery Plan and the Stapleford Towns Fund.

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

The Committee considered 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 provide the Committee with the Annual Counter Fraud Report for 2021/22.

The Committee were provided with an update on counter fraud and corruption and money laundering prevention activity in 2021/22. Internal Audit report that no fraudulent activity within the Council had been noted during the financial year 2021/22. There had, however, been two instances of successful fraud attempts against the Council, one of which resulted in a minor financial loss.

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.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, underSection 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee noted the confidential appendix.