Decisions

The Committee were updated on the Council’s requirement to enhance its complaints procedure, following notification from the Housing Ombudsman.

The Housing Ombudsman introduced a new complaint handling Code in July 2020, which was subsequently revised in September 2020. The new Code is a legal requirement for all landlords to adopt following the findings of the Grenfell White Paper report.

RESOLVED that the non-housing related complaints be administered in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman’s Code.

The Committee considered 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 of the report, be approved.

The Committee consider the Work Programme. It was requested that a report on the audit of business support grants be included at a future meeting.

RESOLVED that, with the addition of an item to consider an audit trail for business support grants, the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee considered letter of representation and the process for the approval of the Statement of Accounts for the 2019/20 financial year and received an update on the Audit Completion Report for the year ending 31 March 2020 from the Council’s external auditors.

RESOLVED that:

(i) the Statement of Accounts 2019/20 as circulated and the letter of

representation as attached be approved and

(ii) delegation be given to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer along with the Chair of this Committee to approve any further changes required to the Statement of Accounts 2019/20.

The Committee noted the review of the Whistleblowing Policy and the outcome of the recent internal audit report relating to this policy.

The Committee noted the Monitoring Officer’s report.

The Committee noted the Monitoring Officer’s report.

The Committee were updated on the arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints. It was noted that the review would consult with other district and borough Councils to establish best practice and Members would be consulted.

RESOLVED that that a politically proportionate task and finish group be set up to review the arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct Complaints and that the same task and finish group be set up to review the new National Code of Conduct.

The Committee were informed of recent work completed by Internal Audit. It was noted that the level of performance in terms of audits completed is below what should have been achieved at this stage.  The main impact has been from the Covid-19 pandemic and the urgency of diverting Internal Audit resources towards supporting other areas.

RESOLVED that revisions to the Internal Audit Plan for 2020/21, as set out in appendix 2 of the report, be approved.

The Committee considered the revised Annual Governance Statement.

RESOLVED that the revised draftAnnual Governance Statement in appendix 1 of

the reportbe approved for inclusion in the Council’s Statement ofAccounts2019/20.

The Committee considered 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 of the report, be approved.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee were informed of recent work completed by Internal Audit.

Internal Audit has reviewed progress made by management in implementing agreed actions within six months of the completion of the respective audits. 

The Committee noted the outcome of the assessment made of the Council’s status as a going concern for the purposes of the statement of accounts 2019/20.

The Committee noted a report which provided an update on progress in delivering the external auditor’s responsibilities and a summary of key national publications that may be of interest to members.

The Committee noted the Annual Counter Fraud Report.

Internal Audit has completed a fraud risk assessment exercise, in conjunction with senior management, taking into account published guidance and reports from CIPFA; National Fraud Initiative, Government; external auditors and other relevant organisations. 

The Committee were updated on the governance dashboard relating to the Council’s major and key projects. 

The Committee noted a report which displayed the audit trail for the payment of COVID-19 business support grants and which ensured that all the relevant safeguards, key controls and fraud checks were in place.

Councillor E Williamson declared a pecuniary interest in item 5 as her husband’s business had received COVID business grants. Minute number 4 refers.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the work programme be approved.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.