Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Tom Kirkham.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business to be considered at the meeting.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

To consider the minutes of the meeting on 20^th January 2022

The Governance Officer advised Members of further clarification sought in relation to  Minute No. ACO52-21/22 of the last meeting held on 20^th January 2022:

In response to a question raised by Councillor David Dixon relating to assessment of risk, the Principal Accountant replied: “We look at risk on a case-by-case basis depending on what it is.  We may ask Arlingclose for their opinion and will discuss it with the relevant officers, before feeding back to officers and Members for consideration.”

Moved by Councillor Peter Roberts and seconded by Councillor Donna Hales

RESOLVED that subject to the above amendment to Minute No. ACO52-21/22, the Minutes of an Audit and Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee held on 20^th January 2022 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the minutes of the meeting on 15^th February 2022

Moved by Councillor Tom Munro and seconded by Councillor Graham Parkin

RESOLVED that the Minutes of an Audit and Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee held on 15th February 2022 be approved as a correct record.

(Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List of

Key Decisions for any further information.  NB: If Members wish to discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the meeting only).

Note: the link on the page will take you to the new List of Key Decisions when it is published on Thursday 14^th April 2022.

Committee considered the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document.

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer advised the meeting that ‘Disposal of Commercial Property at Bramley Vale’ was the only key decision on the list published on 14th April 2022.

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private

            document be noted.

Committee considered a report in relation to the Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23.

The Head of the Internal Audit Consortium explained that she was proposing not to look at housing rents or payroll this year, as both received substantial assurance in 2021/22. The plan was risk based and would allow the Head of the Internal Audit Consortium to provide an annual opinion on the governance, risk and control arrangements in place.  It was noted that the plan was provisional and could be revised if any significant new risks emerged.

The Head of the Internal Audit Consortium informed Members that Internal Audit’s remit had changed significantly in recent years and now had a much greater focus on risk and governance in addition to financial controls.

Committee was also informed that the NEDDC Senior Internal Auditor had recently left and recruitment for a Senior Auditor in advance of the retirement of the post holder at Bolsover District Council was taking place. The Head of the Internal Audit Consortium informed Members that the recruitment of experienced Auditors was a national issue for internal and external audit.

Moved by Councillor Graham Parkin and seconded by Councillor Donna Hales

RESOLVED (1) the Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23 be agreed,                    

(2) that the provisional plan may need adjusting and prioritising in the light of any emerging risks / staff shortages be noted.

(Head of the Internal Audit Consortium)

Committee considered a report which provided progress in respect of the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan.

The Head of the Internal Audit Consortium explained that the 2021/22 Internal Audit  Annual Report would be presented to Committee for their consideration at its meeting on 26^th July 2022.

Moved by Councillor Tom Munro and seconded by Councillor Chris Kane

RESOLVED that the summary of progress on the 2021/22 internal audit plan report be     noted.

(Head of the Internal Audit Consortium)

Committee considered a report in relation to an action plan which had arisen from the self-assessment undertaken by the Committee at its meeting held on 15^thFebruary 2022. 

Committee had utilised CIPFA’s self-assessment of good practice that was included within the CIPFA document ‘Audit Committees Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Police 2018 Edition’.

The Section 151 Officer explained that Issue 4 in the action plan “The membership of the committee has not been assessed against the core knowledge and skills framework” required immediate action from Members.  Appendix 2 to the Action Plan included a guidance document on knowledge and skills for Audit Committee Members.

Members agreed to amend the second recommendation in the report from ‘2023’ to ‘2022/23’ to enable the action plan reporting to begin earlier.

Moved by Councillor Graham Parkin and seconded by Councillor Donna Hales

RESOLVED that (1) the reviewed self-assessment action plan be approved;

(2) progress against the action plan be reported back to Committee periodically during 2022/2023;

(3) Members review their  knowledge and skills in relation to the framework at Appendix 2, and report back to a future meeting;

(4) a further self-assessment be undertaken at the end of the calendar year.

(Section 151 Officer)