Agenda and minutes

Members are requested at the start of the meeting to declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and are reminded that any such interest should also be declared at the start of an item or during any discussion of the matter concerned.

            The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting. No declarations were made. 

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance).

            No questions were asked under Standing Order 28. 

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2006

            Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th June 2006 be confirmed and signed.

Certain items are expected to include the consideration of exempt information and the Sub-Committee is, therefore, recommended to resolve "That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in the items listed below, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act".

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in the items listed below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

          Item No.     Paragraph No.      Minute Nos.

           6 and 7                      7    19 and 20

            Further to Minute 13(2), concerning the identification of Housing Benefits in the Statement of Internal Control as a significant internal control issue and a service area where improvements have been driven forward in 2005/6, the Group Director, Resources, submitted the latest Internal Audit reports on Housing Benefits, presenting reviews on (a) Housing Benefits: Overpayments and (b) Housing Benefits: Fraud. The Council’s Director of Revenues & Benefits attended the meeting to respond to members’ questions regarding the findings of the reviews and the Management Response to recommendations arising from each review. In considering the Audit report on Housing Benefit Counter Fraud and Sanctions, the Council’s Head of Internal Audit advised members of the Council’s “Fraud Bulletin”, which is made available to all members of staff and to schools on a quarterly basis and is designed to promote fraud awareness by communicating information on frauds to officers who might face similar circumstances.

            Resolved – (1) That the detail of the Internal Audit reports on Housing Benefits: Overpayments and Housing Benefits: Fraud be noted.

            (2) That progress reports on the Management Response to recommendations arising from these Internal Audit reports be submitted to the November meeting of this Committee. 

            (3) That Internal Audit Services’ Fraud Bulletin be made available to all members of the Council.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Group Director, Resources, summarising the main issues arising from Internal Audit reports finalised in late May and June 2006 and advising on progress against the internal audit plan.

            Resolved – (1) That the summary of Internal Audit reports finalised in late May and June 2006, and progress against achievement of the iinternal Audit Plan, be noted.

            (2) That the Internal Audit Report on Corporate information Security Controls be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

            Resolved – (1) That the suggested work plan for the Committee, tabled at the meeting, and the proposed utilisation of the Committee timetable to accommodate the work plan, be accepted.

            (2) That a training session for Members of the Audit Committee, which all members of the Council will be invited to attend, be convened at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 19^th September, to follow the Committee meeting scheduled for 5.30 p.m. on that same day.