Agenda and minutes
PDF 101 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G01A - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. View directions
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 absence were received from Councillors Dora Dixon-Fyle and Tom Flynn, and from Charles Wynn-Evans and Musa Chunge. Apologies for early departure were received from Councillor Nick Dolezal. |
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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 accept item 10: 2018-19 Statement of Accounts for Southwark Council and item 11: Audit findings report (ISA 260) - including pension fund as late and urgent. |
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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 open section of the meeting held on 5 June 2019. Supporting documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of 5 June 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Governance Conversation: Strategic Director of Place and Wellbeing
Professor Kevin Fenton to bring a verbal update to the committee for discussion. Minutes: Professor Kevin Fenton, strategic director of place and wellbeing, outlined the governance structures of the department to the committee. The committee had questions for the strategic director.
The strategic director confirmed that if members had further questions, he would welcome them by email to kevin.fenton@southwark.gov.uk. |
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BDO Internal audit progress report
Supporting documents: Minutes: BDO presented the report. Members had questions of BDO.
Officers undertook to write on behalf of the audit, governance and standards committee to any managers whose audit responses are outstanding, asking for a briefing note for the committee on the reasons for the lateness of responses.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted BDO's internal audit progress report, as attached at Appendix A of the report. |
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BDO Internal Audit Annual Report and Annual Statement of Assurance
Supporting documents: Minutes: BDO presented the report. Members had questions of BDO.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted BDO's internal audit annual report and annual statement of assurance report, as attached at Appendix A of the report. |
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Annual Governance Statement 2018-19
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee approved the annual governance statement 2018-19, as attached at Appendix 1 of the report. |
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2018-19 Statement of Accounts for Southwark Council
Incorporating Item 11: Audit findings report (ISA 260) - including pensions fund. Supporting documents: Minutes: This item was heard with item 11 Audit findings report (ISA 260) - including pension fund. Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
Officers undertook to refer the educational healthcare plans/high needs budget issues to overview and scrutiny committee for their consideration.
Members noted that the strategic director of children’s and adults’ services is scheduled to attend the audit, governance and standards committee in February 2020, and that they will be able to raise the issue there.
The audit, governance and standards committee and Duncan Whitfield thanked Grant Thornton and their team for their support, help and challenge throughout the year.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee:
a) considered the matters raised in Grant Thornton’s audit findings report for 2018-19 (Appendix A of the report) before approval of the council’s accounts
b) noted the adjustments to the accounts as set out on page 24 of the audit findings report
c) approved the council’s letter of representation set out at Appendix B of the report
d) considered the matters raised in the pension fund audit findings report 2018-19 (Appendix C of the report) prior to approval of the pension fund statement of accounts
e) noted the adjustments to the pension fund statement of accounts as set out in page 12 of the audit findings report
f) approved the pension fund letter of representation set out at Appendix D of the report
g) approved the Statement of Accounts 2018-19 (Appendix E of the report), subject to any final changes required by the conclusion of the audit, being delegated to the Strategic Director of Finance and Governance in consultation with the chair of audit, governance and standards committee. |
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Audit findings reports (ISA 260) - including pension fund)
Incorporated in Item 10. Minutes: This item was considered as part of item 10 2018-19 Statement of Accounts for Southwark Council. |
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Review of Local Government Ethical Standards by Committee on Standards
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.
Officers agreed to bring back an update to the audit, governance and standards committee with the proposals for Southwark Council going forward.
RESOLVED:
That the committee:
1. Noted the issues outlined in the report.
2. Noted the 26 recommendations made by the Review of Local Government Ethical Standards by The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) and the 15 best practice points.
3. Noted the council already practices many of the recommendations which do not require legislative changes as a matter of good practice.
4. Considered what further changes could be made to the Council’s Code of Conduct and Arrangements for dealing with complaints alleging a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct, which would not require legislative changes. |
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In-year review of the work programme for 2019-20 - July
Supporting documents: Minutes: The report was discussed.
Officers undertook to ensure the audit, governance and standards committee are briefed on the following themes:
· Regeneration/Housing: September 2019 · Asset Management: September 2019 · ICT update: November 2019 · Schools performance and budgets: February 2020
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee considered the proposed draft work programme for 2019-20 and whether they would wish to make amendments to arrangements as set out in paragraph 4 of this report, or in respect of any other matters.
2. That the audit, governance and standards committee, subject to any requested changes, agreed the work programme for 2019-20 set out in Appendix 2 of the report. |