Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To consider the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for the 2022/23 Civic Year.

RESOLVED: That the Committee considered and commented on the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee as attached at Appendix A,

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: The Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee be noted.

REASONS FOR REFERRAL: To enable the Committee to consider the report before it is presented to Full Council. To provide Full Council with assurance as to the effectiveness of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

Audio recording – 1 hour 26 minutes 54 seconds

The Service Director – Resources presented the report entitled ‘Finance Audit and Risk Committee Annual report’ and highlighted that:

·       The report reviewed the last year of the Committee and highlighted what was scheduled for the current year.

·       This included a review of the SIAS report on the effectiveness of the Committee from 2021 and the progress of their Action Plan.

·       A similar SIAS review had not taken place for the last two years, as this report had essentially been covered by the Peer Review.

·       This report also highlighted the cycle of reports, main achievements of the Committee and highlighted the appointment of the Independent Member in September 2022.

·       The planned work highlighted in the report should be dated as 2023-24 and this outlined the expected reports and reviews for the coming year and noted that the reports from External Auditors would be delayed relating to the Pension Fund review and general audit resourcing.

·       The Draft Accounts were required to be published and made available for inspection by the public by the end of May. This has not happened as there are outstanding actions with the 2021/22 accounts, that affect the 2022/23 accounts.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Tom Plater

·       Councillor Terry Hone

·       Independent Person John Cannon

In response to questions the Service Director – Resources stated that:

·       The delay in publishing the accounts was related to a technical reason and would not have a financial impact on the Council.

·       The aim now is to publish the accounts in September for the year 2021/22, so the accounts would be approved at the September Committee meeting.

·       Former Chair, Councillor Tyler had been provided a copy of the report so that any comments could be provided.

·       The audit for 2022/23 should commence in November 2023 and it is hoped it would be completed by March 2024.

·       The Independent Person first attended meeting from September 2022, not June as listed in the report. This would be updated before presenting to Full Council.

Councillor Sean Nolan as Chair, proposed, and Councillor Terry Hone seconded and following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee considered and commented on the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee as attached at Appendix A,

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: The Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee be noted.

REASONS FOR REFERRAL: To enable the Committee to consider the report before it is presented to Full Council. To provide Full Council with assurance as to the effectiveness of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee