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  20^th February 2007

            Resolved -  That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th February 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 item listed below, on the grounds that it involvs 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 item listed below on the grounds that it involves 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 No.

                      9                      7                 62

The Director of Finance submitted a report on the review of the closedown of the 2005/6 accounts and plan for 2006/7 and presenting the closedown timetable for 2006/7. The Committee noted that the annual accounts were closed within the new statutory deadline of within 3 months of year-end and that, for the first time in Swindon’s history, the Council had received an unqualified audit opinion to the Accounts with no material audit adjustments being required.

Resolved – (1) That the Committee notes the report, and the success in closing the 2005/6 accounts, and supports the minor changes recommended by the officers to further improve the process in respect of the 2006/7 accounts.

(2) That it be noted that, due to changes in the National Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), the 2006/7 accounts will be significantly different in appearance to the 2005/6 version and that a report would be submitted to the Committee in advance of seeking its formal approval to the 2006/7 accounts in order to advise members of particular issues and highlight the main areas of adjustment in their presentation.

(3) That it be noted that the Audit Commission had appointed a new Auditor and Audit Manager for the Council for the year commencing 1^st April 2007.

The Director of Resources submitted a report advising the Committee of the proposed framework for the compilation and review of the Council’s Statement on Internal Control (SIC) for 2006/7. The report outlined the various key components of the Council’s arrangements for managing risk, maintaining an effective control environment and reporting on both its financial and non-financial performance.

Resolved – That the report be accepted and that the framework for the compilation and review of the Statement on Internal Control be agreed.

The Group Director, Resources, submitted a report on the requirement for the Council to conduct a review of the effectiveness of its system of internal audit, in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006. It was noted that this was the first year in which the Council had been required to complete this review and that, under the new Regulations, the Audit Committee was considered the appropriate Council forum to conduct the self-assessment.

The Head of Internal Audit presented the detail of the report, explaining the various areas of assurance available to the Audit Committee in reviewing the effectiveness of the Council’s system of internal audit. It was noted that the Council is currently compliant with 80% of the standards contained in the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit, and is partially compliant with a further 10% of the standards.

Resolved – (1) That it be agreed that the assessment of the effectiveness of the Council’s system of internal audit, in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006, be carried out by the Audit Committee.

(2) That, in conducting reviews of the effectiveness of internal audit, the Committee utilise the sources of assurance detailed in the report and the checklist provided in the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit in Local Government in the UK 2006.

(3) That, with reference to those areas of the CIPFA Code of Practice where the Council is either partially or non-compliant, the Head of Internal Audit report to a future meeting of the Committee on the details of changes to procedures or amendments to documents for approval.

(4) That, further to (3) above, it be noted that the Head of Internal Audit will report to the next meeting of the Committee seeking the Committee’s approval to updated Terms of Reference for Internal Audit and a strategy for the provision of Internal Audit.

(Councillor Des Moffatt requested that his concerns that Conservative Group members serving on the Audit Committee should not be affiliated with other of the Council’s Financial Planning forums be recorded in the minutes.) 

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Group Director, Resources, summarising the main issues arising from Internal Audit reports finalised in February 2007 and advising on progress against the Internal Audit Plan.

Resolved – That the summary of Internal Audit reports finalised in February 2007, and progress against achievement of the Internal Audit Plan, be noted.