7 December 2012

Present:

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

Apologies:

Councillor Parsons

*114 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*115 Annual Audit Letter 2011/12

The Committee received the Audit Commission letter which had issued an unqualified opinion on the financial statements of the Authority and the Pension Fund and had concluded that the County Council had made proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of it s resources. Members wished to record their thanks to the District Auditor and his staff at the Audit Commission.

*116 Fee Letter 2012/13

The Committee considered the Grant Thornton letter setting out the details of the audit fee, the outline audit timetable and key members of the Grant Thornton Audit Team. Members enquired why Grant Thornton were able to offer a 40% reduction on the fees of the Audit Commission and noted that the fees were fixed for a period of 5 years.

It was MOVED by Councillor Moulding, SECONDED by Councillor Hannon and

RESOLVED that the audit fee and the proposed programme of work be approved.

*117 Six Month Internal Audit Report 2012/13

(Councillors Greenslade, McMurray, Moulding and Pennington each declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being District Council members)

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (CT/12/57 - text only | pdf CT/12/57) providing a six month audit opinion of the Council's Internal Audit Service and progress to date against the internal audit plans for 2012/13, approved by the Committee in March 2012. The opinion was that the Council continued to have an effective framework of control providing reasonable assurance regarding the effective, efficient and economic achievement of its objectives.

Officers answered questions on the audit of schools, the support given by the Audit Team to school governors and the PRISM computer system upgrade. In response to questions regarding reporting of dangerous trees near the highway it was agreed that a highways officer attend the next meeting.

It was MOVED by Councillor McMurray, SECONDED by Councillor Hannon and

RESOLVED

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

(b) that members note the satisfactory performance and achievements of Devon Audit Partnership during the first six months of 2012/13;

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

*118 Date of Next Meeting

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

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the Committee be brought forward to early March 2013 following consultation with the Chairman.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished at 3.45pm.

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