Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Roberts with the substitution of Councillor Morrell authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2022.

It was moved by Councillor Pendlebury, seconded by Councillor Flemming and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2022 be

approved and signed by the Chairman.

To receive verbally from members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

There were no interests declared.

To report on the summary of the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan

Members were provided with an update on the 2021/22 internal audit plan. 

As part of this the auditors reported that they had signed off Local Authority delivery on a grant received to ensure money had been spent in accordance with grant conditions.

After a question from members around risk management it was confirmed that the internal auditors had looked at risk registers and policies and would be doing some refresh work on the importance of risk.

It was moved by Councillor Flemming, seconded by Councillor Hodgkins and

                        RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To present to members a summary of quality reviews done by the FRC in relation to external Audit Suppliers, including the Council’s own External Audit Supplier Ernst and Young (EY)

Members were updated on a summary of quality reviews done by the Financial Reporting Council in relation to external Audit suppliers, including the Council’s own external Audit supplier Ernst and Young.

Discussion took place on the staffing and recruitment pressures faced by external audit firms.

Members noted the report.

To notify members of the outcome of the External Audit appointment arrangements completed by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) on our behalf for the period spanning the audits from 2023/24 to 2027/28

Members were updated on the outcome of the external audit appointment arrangements completed by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) on our behalf for the period spanning 2023/24 to 2027/28.

After a question from members around their concern of significant rises in audit fees, it was confirmed that the council should anticipate a major re-set of fees involving an increase of approximately 150%, noting that the actual fees would depend on the amount of work required.

It was moved by Councillor Hodgkins, seconded by Councillor Pendlebury and

                        RESOLVED – the report be noted.