Agenda and minutes

The following apologies for absence were received:

·         Councillor Kana Naheerathan

·         Nigel Shock

·         Karen McArthur

·         Dr Rob Cawley

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

None received.

To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67.

There were no deputations.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Pre-meet: 21 days, LOBO update, comment from Minesh

The report updates the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee on gifts and hospitality registered by Members

Ward Affected:       All Wards

Contact Officer:      Debra Norman, Director of Legal and HR Services

                                    020 8937 1578, Debra.Norman@brent.gov.uk

Pre-meet:

Expenses - Just note

Attendance/Training – seem to do something. Rise with DN to do something. Mandatory training and SRA

This is the annual report from the Head of Audit and Investigations. It includes the opinion of Head of Audit on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s internal controls and presents a summary of the Internal Audit work undertaken during the year.

Ward Affected:        All Wards

Contact Officer:      Michael Bradley, Head of Audit and Investigations

                                    020 8937 6526, Michael.Bradley@brent.gov.uk

Pre-meet:

Level assurance improved but still too low?

Worry about follow up meetings.

Any limited etc – need to take seriously

Property Risk Register - Going to CMT

LK School – page 28

Audit Survey Results: Encourage more.

Consultancy – performance management and appraisals.

The report updates members on Treasury Management activity and confirms that the Council has complied with its relevant Prudential Indicators.

Ward Affected:        All Wards

Contact Officer:      Daniel Omisore, Head of Finance

                                    020 8937 3057, Daniel.Omisore@brent.gov.uk

Pre meet:

Easy language

What is limit and operational boundary etc.

2.30 limit

Risk:

The Audit and Standards Committee has responsibility for considering issues raised by the external auditors as part of the process of approving the annual statement of accounts. The Committee is asked to review the reports from the external auditor:

·         Brent Council Audit Findings Report.

·         Brent Council Pension Fund Audit Findings Report.

In considering the Council’s annual statement of accounts, together with, audit findings report, the Committee is asked to:

·         consider the key issues and recommendations

·         approve the statement of accounts

·         approve the letter of representation to the external auditor

Ward Affected:       All Wards

Contact Officers:   Minesh Patel, Finance Director (Brent Council)

                                020 8937 4043, Minesh.Patel@brent.gov.uk

Sophia Brown and Paul Dossett (Grant Thornton)

020 7728 3180 / 0207728 3179

Sophia.Y.Brown@uk.gt.com / Paul.Dossett@uk.gt.com

Reports to follow in supplementary agenda pack

Pre-meet:

Apology for late availability

Draft available since May

Not affect GF or HRA

ASC does the final approval

Recc for ASC

Get GT to start and take through findings (notes)

Take through the balance sheet – expenditure, cash flow and reserves

VFM

End: Good position but not ease out and continue our efforts

Pension – clarity and response from Rav – enquire from Paul D

I4B/FWH – Where are audited accounts for members and scrutiny. Subsidiary accounts not audited? Impact on independence. How is the work being organised? Sufficient assurance to sign the off? Clarify sought from Pau re that. Testing the assurance. What sort fo assurance was give and agreed.

Response might have been – not material risk – why charge £25k?

GT Report – ask for action pan and – bring back report. Tie up Mgt response and recc – raise it now.

Need two signatures – ASC Chair and Minesh. Should say LBB not governing body.

Assumption are vague – used PWC actuary experts.

McLoud – Councill will have to charge more in future.

To self-assess the effectiveness of the Committee building on the training workshop held after the last meeting facilitated by a CIPFA trainer.

Ward Affected:        All Wards

Contact Officer:      Michael Bradley, Head of Internal Audit and Investigation

                                    020 8937 6526, Michael.Bradley@brent.gov.uk

This report provides an annual summary of the counter fraud work undertaken for the period 1^st April 2018 to 31^st March 2019 and asks the Committee to note its content.

Ward Affected:        All Wards

Contact Officer:      Michael Bradley, Head of Audit and Investigations

                                    020 8937 6526, Michael.Bradley@brent.gov.uk

TENANACY FRAUD –

COUNTER FRAUD WORK WITH EXPERT – PRAISE

To review and note the Committee’s Forward Plan.

Ward Affected:        All Wards

Contact Officer:      Kunwar Khan, Governance Officer

                                    0208 937 2037, Kunwar.Khan@brent.gov.uk

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

None.