Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors C Allen, S Gibbens, Lambert and Webber-Jones.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

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

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January be                         confirmed as a correct record.

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.

No interests were declared at this meeting.

Report of the Internal Audiutors

Members were provided with the proposed Internal Audit Operational Plan for 2025/26, the 2025/26 – 2027/28 updated Internal Audit Strategy, and the Internal Audit Charter.

In response to questions from members it was confirmed that the proposed audits for shared service partnerships would be carried out on behalf of all partners and shared with their own audit committees.

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

            RESOLVED –

(i)            That members approved the Internal Audit Operational Plan for 2025/26;

(ii)          That members approved the 2025/26 -2027/28 updated Internal Audit Strategy; and

(iii)         That members approved the Internal Audit Charter.

To inform members of the counter fraud framework

Members were presented with the draft Counter Fraud Framework document which formed part of the Counter Fraud strategy work.

As part of the discussions it was confirmed that the objective was to further protect the council and this Framework would strengthen arrangements already in place.

It was proposed by Councillor Williams, seconded by Councillor Flemming, and

                        RESOLVED – the report be noted.

Report of the External Auditors

Members were presented with an update on the planned approach to building external audit assurance that set out the first stages of the recovery plan.

In response to questions from members it was confirmed that:

-       This gave the level of assurance needed in order to move forward;

-       This work would be completed in chunks within a four year period to give enough assurance of the material areas;

-       Each piece of work would be reported to Audit committee on completion;

-       At this point there would be no additional costs incurred above that in the report, but further costs may be incurred later;

-       The first year of the merged council’s under local government reorganisation would require additional costs to merge accounts, which would be further complicated if there were still outstanding qualified or disclaim opinions.

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

                        RESOLVED – the update be noted.

Report of the External Auditor

Members were presented with an overview of Azets Auditor’s annual report for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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

                    RESOLVED – that members noted the report and the actions in              place to address the recommendations made.

Members to consider if any items are required to be referred to council

There were no items to be referred to council.