Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th February 2021 and authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 24^th February 2021 were agreed as a correct record and, due to COVID-19, will be signed by the Chairman at a later date.

Report and appendix attached

The Committee were presented with the Head of Assurance Annual report for 2020-2021.

Members noted that reasonable assurance had been provided for the Council’s internal control system. Members also noted that the timescale for the Procurement service review could not be given to the Committee but a report would be presented at a future meeting detailing the work done. It was noted that there were 57 open investigations into Housing fraud and 14 cases of corporate fraud had been investigated.

The Committee noted the report.

Report and appendix attached

The Committee received the 2020-2021 External Audit Plan produced by Ernst and Young.

The Committee noted that the plan was indicative and there had been little change in the risk or focus from the 2019-2020 plan. Members considered the Audit Strategy and noted that the Valuation of investment property had been identified as a significant risk, however, the other risk areas were inherent. Members were pleased to hear that the audit of the 2019-2020 accounts was close to completion with the audit of the 2020-2021 accounts were due to start in September 2021.

The Committee noted the report.