Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 37.

NOTED the update report provided by the Vice Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.

The Mayor invited Councillor Chan, as the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to introduce the report updating members on the work of the Committee.

In terms of issues highlighted, Councillor Chan drew members’ attention to the important role and work undertaken by the Committee in relation to monitoring and advising on various governance matters relating to audit activity, the Council’s finance, accounting and regulatory framework and members standards of conduct.  As one of their key responsibilities, members were advised that the Committee had agreed to authorise sign off of the Council’s Annual Statement of Accounts 2021-22 having considered the External Auditors report, subject to the resolution of a national financial regulatory issue by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities relating to the accounting for infrastructure assets.  The Committee were also continuing to monitor the performance management and accounts of the Council’s two subsidiary companies i4B and First Wave Housing Ltd along with the approach towards emergency planning and monitoring of the Councillor Code of Conduct.  The Committee had also taken an active interest in the measures introduced by the Council to mitigate against the impact of the current economic uncertainty and cost-of-living crisis being experienced both in relation to the delivery of Council services and support for residents.  As part of their focus on this issue, members had been keen to continue monitoring development of the Financial Inclusion Dashboard being used as a business tool to assist in targeting support for local residents.

Councillor Chan advised the Committee were looking forward to continuing their work with members and other key stakeholders to ensure the necessary focus was maintained in relation to compliance and control of the Council’s key governance arrangements.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Chan for the update provided and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To receive a report from the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 37.

NOTED the update report provided by the Vice Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.

The Mayor invited Councillor Chan, as the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to introduce the report updating members on the work of the Committee.

In terms of issues highlighted, Councillor Chan drew members’ attention to the important role and work undertaken by the Committee in relation to monitoring and advising on various governance matters relating to audit activity, the Council’s finance, accounting and regulatory framework and members standards of conduct.  As one of their key responsibilities, members were advised that the Committee were in the process of reviewing and signing off the Council’s Annual Statement of Accounts 2021-22 having considered the External Auditors report.  The Committee were also continuing to monitor the Council’s Strategic Risk Register which had included the recent addition of the impact arising from the cost-of-living crisis.  As part of their focus on this issue, members had also received a demonstration of the Financial Inclusion Dashboard being used as a business tool to assist in targeting support for local residents and were also keen to develop cross cutting work with scrutiny around the same issue.

Councillor Chan advised the Committee were looking forward to continuing their work with members and other key stakeholders to ensure the necessary focus was maintained in relation to compliance and control of the Council’s key governance arrangements.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Chan for the update provided and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To receive a report from the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 37.

NOTED the update report provided by the Vice Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.

The Mayor invited Councillor Chan, as the newly appointed Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to introduce the report updating members on the work of the Committee.

In terms of issues highlighted, Councillor Chan drew members’ attention to the important role and work undertaken by the Committee in relation to monitoring and advising on various governance matters relating to audit activity, the Council’s finance, accounting and regulatory framework and members standards of conduct.  As one of their key responsibilities, members were advised that the Committee at its last meeting in June 2022, had reviewed and agreed to recommend adoption of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement.  At the same meeting an update had also been provided on the Council’s Strategic Risk Register which had included the recent addition of the impact arising from the cost of living crisis.

Councillor Chan advised the Committee were looking forward to continue working with members and other key stakeholders to ensure the necessary focus was maintained in relation to compliance and control of the Council’s key governance arrangements.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Chan for the update provided and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.