Agenda and decisions

Members are required to notify any substitutions by midday on the day of the meeting.

Late substitutions will not be accepted and Members attending as a substitute without having given the due notice will not be able to take part in the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dominic Griffiths.

Having given due notice, Councillor Sam Collins substituted for Councillor Griffiths.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 5 February 2025.

Councillor Sean Nolan, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 5 February 2025 be approved as, as amended, a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Members should notify the Chair of other business which they wish to be discussed at the end of either Part I or Part II business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chair of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda.  Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest, wishing to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote.

(1)        The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.

(2)        The Chair drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

(3)        The Chair advised that section 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution did not apply to this meeting.

(4)        The Chair advised that the following changes to the order of Agenda had been made since publication, Agenda Item 11 would now follow Agenda Item 8.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There was no public participation at this meeting.

REPORT OF THE SHARED ANTI-FRAUD SERVICE (SAFS)

To review the progress and delivery of the Anti-Fraud plan 2024-25.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the progress by officers and the Shared Anti-Fraud Service to deliver the Anti-Fraud Plan for the Council.

REPORT OF THE SHARED ANTI-FRAUD SERVICE (SAFS)

To consider the proposed anti-fraud plan 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That Committee reviewed and approved the Anti-Fraud Plan 2025/26.

(2)   That the Committee delegated authority to the Service Director – Resources to review and update the language, alongside SAFS, to make the KPIs, attached at Appendix B, more specific, particularly in relation to 1 and 3.

REPORT OF THE SHARED INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE (SIAS)

To consider the proposed plan for 2025/26.

RESOLVED: That Committee

(1)   Approved the proposed North Herts Council Internal Audit Plan for 2025/26.

(2)   Noted the SIAS Internal Audit Strategy and provide any comments prior to approval by the SIAS Board.

THE REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITIES MANAGER

The report highlights the Local Code of Corporate Governance for 2025.

RESOLVED: That Committee approved the Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025 (Appendix A).

REASONS FOR DECISION: It is recommended practice to review the Local Code of Corporate Governance each year to ensure it remains up to date and relevant.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee commented on the assumptions and information contained within this report, in the context that Cabinet agrees that:

(1)   That Cabinet note this report.

(2)   That Cabinet approve the changes to the 2024/25 General Fund budget, as identified in table 3 and paragraph 8.2, a £840k decrease in net expenditure.

(3)   That Cabinet approve the changes to the 2025/26 General Fund budget, as identified in table 3 and paragraph 8.2, a total £807k increase in net expenditure.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services who did not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To update Cabinet on progress with delivering the capital and treasury strategy for 2024/25, as at the end of December 2024.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee commented on the assumptions and information contained within this report, in the context that Cabinet agrees that:

(1)   That Cabinet note the forecast expenditure of £16.816M in 2024/25 on the capital programme, paragraph 8.3 refers.

(2)   That Cabinet approve the adjustments to the capital programme for 2024/25 onwards, as a result of the revised timetable of schemes detailed in table 2 and 3, increasing the estimated spend in 2025/26 by £0.627M.

(3)   That Cabinet note the position of the availability of capital resources, as detailed in table 4 paragraph 8.6 and the requirement to keep the capital programme under review for affordability.

(4)   Cabinet is asked to note the position of Treasury Management activity as at the end of December 2024.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1)   Cabinet is required to approve adjustments to the capital programme and ensure the capital programme is fully funded.

(2)   To ensure the Council’s continued compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management and the Local Government Act 2003 and that the Council manages its exposure to interest and capital risk.

The Chair to lead a discussion regarding possible agenda items for future meetings.

The Chair led a discussion regarding possible agenda items, and training needs for  meetings in the next civic year.