22 June 2012

Present:

Sir Simon Day (Chairman), Councillors Greenslade, Hannon, McMurray, Moulding, Parsons and Pennington

*101 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*102 Future of Public Audit

The Committee noted the letter from the Chairman to Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Minute *99 refers), the response received from Baroness Hanham and letters of support from Gary Streeter MP and Geoffrey Cox MP.

*103 Good Governance in Local Government

The Committee considered the report of the Corporate Leadership Team (CS/12/15) on the governance statement which the Council is required to publish in accordance with CIPFA/SOLACE guidance and to comply with Regulation 4(2) of the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006.

It was MOVED by Sir Simon Day, SECONDED by Councillor Moulding and

RESOLVED

(a) that the draft Governance Statement be approved;

(b) that the Chairman of the Audit Committee be authorised to sign the Annual Governance Statement confirming approval by the Committee.

*104 Annual Internal Audit Report 2011/12

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (CT/12/29 - text only | pdf | supplementary information CT/12/29) on the performance of Devon Audit Partnership against the internal audit plans for 2011/12 approved by Audit Committee in March 2011 which lead to an opinion that the Council has an effective framework of control providing reasonable assurance regarding effective, efficient and economic achievement of its objectives.

Members discussed the action plan for dealing with dangerous trees and the need to keep on top of this issue and to involve parish councils. It was agreed that the dangerous trees action plan feature on a future agenda of this Committee. Members also requested a detailed report to a future meeting updating the Committee on the improvement required issues highlighted in yellow in Appendix 2 to the report.

It was MOVED by Sir Simon Day, SECONDED by Councillor Moulding and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Committee note the internal audit opinion that the Council s systems contain a satisfactory level of internal control;

(b) that the satisfactory performance and achievements of Devon Audit Partnership during 2011/12 be noted;

(c) that the Council s continuing commitment to the maintenance and enhancement of an anti-fraud culture be endorsed.

*105 Risk Management

The Committee received the report of the Corporate Risk Management Group (SC/12/19 - text only | pdf SC/12/19) on information on the scope and effectiveness of the systems established by the organisation to identify, assess, manage and monitor financial and non-financial risk.

Councillor Pennington quoted from a National Fraud Authority publication on the increasing cost to Government and Local Government of fraud in the UK and in considering the risks associated with joint ventures Councillor Hannon suggested that a piece of work should be done to look at the track record of joint ventures. However, the Head of the Devon Audit Partnership reminded Members that each proposed outsourcing was carefully considered on its own merits and in some instances services had remained in-house.

*106 Audit Committee Update

The Committee received the report of the Audit Commission providing a report on progress in delivering the Audit Commission s responsibilities as the County Council s external auditor, including and update on the externalisation of the Audit Practice. The report highlights key emerging national issues and any developments of interest to the Committee.

*107 Date of Next Meeting

The Committee noted that its next meeting would be held on Friday 21 September 2012 at 2.15pm.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The Minutes of the Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished at 3.40pm.