Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Virginia Wynn-Jones Email: virginia.wynn-jones@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors James Barber and Renata Hamvas. Apologies for lateness were also received from Jennifer Seeley, Director of Finance. |
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Confirmation of voting members
A representative of each political group will confirm the voting members of the committee. Minutes: The members present were confirmed as the voting members. |
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Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear days of the meeting. Minutes: The chair agreed to receive item 12, the audit findings report 2016/17 (including pension fund audit findings) and statement of accounts, as late and urgent.
The chair agreed to vary the order of business to hear: · item 6, governance topic: budget overspend in November · item 14, retrospective approvals to contract decisions, after item 7 · item 9, annual report on the work of the corporate risk and insurance team 2016/17, after moved item 14 · item 13, annual governance statement (final), after item 11. |
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Disclosure of interests and dispensations
Members to declare any personal interests and dispensation in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 9 May 2017 and 15 May 2017. Supporting documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meetings held on 9 May 2017 and 13 May 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Governance topic: Budget overspend
Duncan Whitfield, strategic director of finance and governance, and David Quirke-Thornton, strategic director of children's and adults' services, are invited to attend. Minutes: This item was deferred to the meeting of 22 November 2017. |
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Governance topic: Equalities impact on the council
Stephen Douglass, director of communities, is invited to attend. Minutes: The committee heard from Stephen Douglass, Director of Communities, and asked questions of him. |
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Internal Audit Charter and Anti-Fraud Strategy
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the updated Internal Audit Charter and Anti-fraud strategy. |
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Annual report on the work of the corporate risk and insurance team 2016-17
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the annual report on the work of the corporate risk and insurance team in 2016-17. |
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Internal Audit Progress Report
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the Internal Audit Progress report for 2017-18 as at end August 2017, attached as Appendix A to the report. |
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Internal Audit Annual Report 2016-17
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the Internal Audit Annual report, attached as Appendix A of the report. |
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Audit Findings Report 2016/17 (including Pension Fund Audit Findings) and Statement of Accounts
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee adjourn consideration of this item to a future meeting on 18 September 2017. |
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Annual Governance Statement (Final)
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee approved the annual governance statement 2016-17, as at appendix 1 of the report. |
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Retrospective approvals to contract decisions
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
The committee requested that they be provided with:
· A list of all school improvement projects being carried out over the summer holidays · A development on the proposed solution and a note on any potential staffing under-resourcing.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the retrospective contract decision detailed in the report.
2. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the actions taken by the strategic director of children’s and adult services and the director of regeneration as set out in paragraph 19 of the report to ensure that the risk of future retrospective contract decisions is minimised for the future.
3. That the audit, governance and standards committee considered whether it would wish to make recommendations to help improve future decision-making. |
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In year review of work programme
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee considered the proposed revised work programme for 2017-18, including scheduling of governance topics for the year and made the following amendments:
· Information Technology update - now November 2017 · Human Resources update - now February 2018
and requested to receive briefing notes before the next meeting on:
· School building works (including annual maintenance and the expansion programme) · Fees and charges at South Dock Marina · Staff exit procedure guidance and support for managers
with a view to considering whether to request a full report after the November 2017 meeting.
2. That the audit, governance and standards committee, subject to the requested changes, agreed the work programme set out in Appendix 1 of the reportfor 2017-18. |
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Appointment of external auditor
Following the council’s decision to opt in to the PSAA auditor appointment arrangements, PSAA has undertaken a procurement process. It is now consulting the council on its proposal to appoint Grant Thornton (UK) LLP to audit the accounts of the council for five years from 2018-19. The appointment will start on 1 April 2018. The consultation closes on Friday 22 September 2017 and if the council is satisfied with the proposed appointment, it needs to confirm this to PSAA. If it wishes to make representations, these need to be sent to PSAA by 22 September 2017.
Officers to give a verbal update. Minutes: Officers updated the committee. The committee noted the update. |