Agenda and minutes

 There were none.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were none.

Minutes of the last meeting held, Wednesday 8 July 2020 attached to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 8 July 2020 were agreed.

A verbal update is to be provided to Members at the meeting by Grant Thornton, the Council’s External Auditors.

Simon Hardman from the Council’s External Auditor, Grant Thornton provided a verbal update.  Grant Thornton were continuing to progress the audit for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. 

It was reported that due to Mark Heap’s absence new arrangements had been put in place and Mark Stocks would be our new relationship manager.  Mark Stocks was a partner and Head of Public Sector Assurance at Grant Thornton.  Mr Stocks is due to attend the next meeting of the Governance Committee.

A detailed plan was being produced to ensure the audit is conducted as quickly as possible.  A great deal of work had already been completed, but the findings of the internal audit reports were yet to be considered as well as changes to the external audit environment such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new Grant Thornton resource on financial reporting as a result of COVID-19 and a National Audit Office report on reporting would be shared with the Governance Committee. 

Following enquiries from Members about the timescale for finalising the audit, a date could not be provided at present, but reassurance was provided that a plan including timescales was being developed. 

There was a Member query about whether the internal audit report on the utilities contract, which had no assurance would be considered as part of the audit.  Confirmation was provided that the internal audit reports would be considered.

Report of the Deputy Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to follow.

The Governance Committee received a report of the Deputy Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer presenting the draft statement of accounts for 2019/2020 and advising on the statutory requirements and role of Members.

A Member training session on the accounts is to be arranged before the accounts are finalised.

Following a Member enquiry about the Expenditure and Funding Analysis surplus on page 18 of the report, confirmation was provided that the transfer was planned to be made from a reserve and that there was not a charge for the year. 

A query was made about the reference to the corporate risk register not being monitored.  It was reported that corporate risks had been identified but not monitored due to attention being drawn to other matters.  This is one of the issues being taken forward through the Annual Governance Statement Action Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.