Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting

Contact: Luke Phimister 01708 434619  Email: luke.phimister@OneSource.co.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

54.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING pdf icon PDF 517 KB

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2020 and authorise the Chairman to sign them.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 July 2020 were agreed as a correct record and, due to COVID-19, will be signed by the Chairman at a later date.

55.

HEAD OF ASSURANCE - PROGRESS REPORT QUARTERS ONE AND TWO 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 365 KB

Report and appendices attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented to the Committee outlined the work that had been undertaken by the Assurance Service during the period of 1st April to 30th September 2020.

 

It was noted by the Committee that as schools had been closed due to COVID-19, the audit had to be completed remotely and the audit of housing was ongoing with high risk recommendations having been implemented with updates being tracked through the Governance and Assurance Board. A full list of updates from the Board would be brought to the next Audit Committee meeting.

 

The members noted that the Council’s fraud work had been disrupted due to COVID-19 but internal referrals had stayed steady. Issues relating to cyber security was then presented to the Committee and it as noted that the Council had some issues with regards to the resilience of the firewall but fixes had been implemented.

 

The Committee noted the report.

 

56.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT MID YEAR REPORT 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 397 KB

Report and appendices attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented to the Committee was an update on the mid-year Treasury Management which had been approved by full council on 26th February 2020. Members noted that this report was to ensure investment of surplus cash and to have an adequate for borough funding. Members noted that £90million had been invested in other Local Authorities as they provided better rates. It was also noted that the PWLB fund’s rate was high and the consultation with the requirement of long-term borrowing had been published. Members were updated that the cash balance was £120.9million and Rockfire Capital Ltd had repaid their amount early with accrued interest.

 

The Committee noted the report.

57.

WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY pdf icon PDF 269 KB

Report and appendix attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented to the Committee gave an update on the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy which had been agreed in January 2020 but last reviewed in 2015. The document was updated and included newer contact details. The Committee noted that all new staff receive training on whistleblowing as part of the induction and updated training for managers had been rolled out. Members commented that the document gave residents and staff the confidence to contact relevant officers confidentially.

 

The Committee noted the report and approved the updated Confidential Reporting Policy.

58.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

To consider whether the public should now be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public were present during those items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of section 100A to the Local Government Act 1972 as the document was shared by government and there is an expectation to maintain confidence; and, if it is decided to exclude the public on those grounds, the Committee to resolve accordingly on the motion of the Chairman.

 

59.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE END OF THE EU TRANSITION PERIOD

Report and appendices attached.

Minutes:

The report presented to the Committee advised Members on the ongoing preparations for the end of the European Union (EU) Transition Period.

 

The Committee noted the report.