Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor O’Shea.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Audit & Performance Committee held on 10August.

It was moved by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Wallace and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 August be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

No interests were declared at this stage.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction)

Members received the Statement of Accounts for 2014/15. During discussion, the transfer of the bus station car park to the Crescent developer and the profit share arrangement on the landholding were discussed.

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed and Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the Statement of Accounts.

Report of the Auditor

The Committee received the ISA260 report to those charged with governance in its capacity as an Audit Committee. It was noted that outstanding issues highlighted in the report had been resolved. In her presentation, the Auditor explained that the Council had a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget and expressed concern that, at the present time, this process was not as advanced as it should be. She highlighted the forecast gaps in the budget and the need to make decisions to address these as soon as possible.

Members of the Committee shared the concern of the Auditor and felt that the Executive should be requested to give urgent consideration to the matter. It was moved by Councillor Camamile, seconded by Councillor Williams and

RESOLVED – the concerns of the Committee be raised with the Executive and the Executive be urged to give clear direction to Council as to the financial sustainability in order to set a balanced budget for 2015/16 onwards.

Report of the Head of Internal Audit

Members received an update on progress against the 2015/16 Internal Audit Plan. It was requested that a report be brought to the next meeting on those updates that were overdue.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction)

The Committee was informed of the Council’s Treasury Management activity in the first quarter of 2015/16 to ensure that the council achieved value for money in relation to investment.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction)

Following a request at the previous meeting, members received a report on aged debt in relation to commercial property. It was noted that the local press had reported incorrect figures from the report to the previous meeting and it was confirmed that the authority was not owed £500,000 rent. Members asked how the level of debt compared with previous years, and it was agreed that this would be reported to members.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction)

The committee received the first quarter outturn position for performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks. It was explained that ‘red’ risks were constantly under review.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction)

Members were updated on the financial, performance and risk position of Corporate Governance and ICT as part of the programme of service reviews. It was noted that an underspend was currently forecast but that salary savings would be used by the year end.

The work programme was noted.

It was suggested that the committee could visit a high performing audit committee as part of a training exercise and acknowledged that attendance at training sessions for the committee was often poor.

On the motion of Councillor Taylor seconded by Councillor Wallace, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction)

Following a request at the previous meeting, members received a report on Section 106 debt over 120 days old. It was acknowledged that some had not been progressed as expediently as they could have been, but that new processes had been implemented and the system was now closely monitored.