Minutes for Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee meeting, Mar 19 2012, 6.30PM official page

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 January 2012.

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

The purpose of this report is to inform members of the draft 2011/12 accounting policies to allow members to consider and endorse the accounting policies under which we prepare our annual Statement of Accounts together with the summary timetable for production.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended:

(1)               To approve the accounting policies as set out in Appendix 1.

(2)               To agree that delegated authority be granted to Head of Finance and   Procurement to make any further changes to the Accounting Policies in preparation for the forthcoming accounts closure for 2011-12

(3)               To note the closedown timetable summary as set out in Appendix 2.

Report of Corporate Performance Manager

Summary

To update the Committee on the management of Strategic, Corporate and Partnership Risks during the third quarter of 2011/12 and highlight any emerging issues for consideration.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Review the quarter 3 Strategic, Corporate and Partnership Risk Register. (Appendices 1 and 2).

Report of Corporate Performance Manager

Summary

To agree the joint approach to risk management across the Cherwell and South Northamptonshire Joint Management Team and set the risk strategy for Cherwell District Council.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended:

(1)               To consider the proposed approach and identify any issues or additional elements to be included.

(2)               To agree Appendix 1 as the risk strategy for Cherwell District Council 2012/13

Report of Chief Internal Auditor

Summary

This report provides the Committee with an update of the work of Internal Audit since the last meeting.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended to:

(1)         Consider and approve this report.

** Please note that appendix 1 to this report: Internal Audit Draft 2012/13 Internal Audit Plan, will follow as the procurement process for the provision of Internal Audit Services from 1 April 2012 was being completed at the time of agenda dispatch **

Report of Chief Internal Auditor

Summary

This report provides the Committee with  a draft version of the 2012/13 internal audit plan.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Consider and approve this report

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

The report provides a progress report on the work of external audit.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the progress report (Appendix 1)

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

The report provides a review of the 2012/13 strategy that was approved by Council on 27 February 2012 and outlines the differences from the current 2011/12 strategy, and gives an update on current performance.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the report.

The following item contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Work is currently in progress on this matter. The Head of Finance and Procurement will provide a verbal update to the Committee.