11 November 2011

Present:

Devon County Council

Councillor Clatworthy

Plymouth Council

Councillor Mahony

Torbay Council

Councillor Hill

Also in Attendance

Councillor Pountney (Torbay)

Apologies

Sir Simon Day, Councillors Stringer and Ricketts and Mr P Looby

*42 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2011 be signed as a correct record.

*43 Future of the Devon Audit Partnership

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership on the overall good performance of the Partnership and the need to revisit its original aims and to develop the Partnership further. This was against a backdrop of a 10% reduction on current contributions over the next two years as requested by the partners, this reduction was to be achieved through increased efficiency rather than reducing the number of audit days. To meet this reduction it was proposed to reduce the number of management posts by 3, delete a Senior Auditor post and identify savings in accommodation, car parking and the use of agency staff. The report went on to look at current external and local authority customers and the need to attract new customers via a range of new marketing initiatives with the possibility of re-launching the Partnership in April 2012.

Members discussed the relatively higher cost of audit days in Plymouth, the reduction of office space in Plymouth, the reluctance of District Councils to sign up to the Partnership, the possible renaming, rebranding and relocating of the Partnership away from County Hall (and therefore away from association with the County Council).

It was MOVED by Councillor Mahony, SECONDED by Councillor Hill and

RESOLVED that officers pursue proposals to expand the customer base of the Partnership by renaming, rebranding and relocating offices and bring these proposals for approval to the next meeting of the DAP in February 2012.

*44 Budget Update for 2011/12

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership giving a budget update to month 6 2011/12 showing that the Partnership was within budget profile, offering a proposed budget for the next two years. The report included a summary of savings since April 2009 which showed a saving of approximately 200,000 on annual audit costs for the three partners. The Head of Devon Audit Partnership advised the Committee that he was consulting on making changes to the Constitution regarding refunding surplus money to the Partners. The Committee discussed whether Partners would want to have only part of the surplus reimbursed and retain some money for restructuring.

It was MOVED by Councillor Mahony, SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy and

RESOLVED

(a) that the current budget position for the Partnership and possible budget projections for 2012/13 and 2013/14 be noted;

(b) that the level of savings delivered to Partners as a result of the Partnership be noted;

(c) that officers report to the next meeting in February 2012 on the budget implications of the restructuring changes.

*45 Date of Next Meeting

RESOLVED

(a) that officers prepare a brief report for a future meeting on the added value that the Partnership has provided;

(b) that the next meeting be held on Friday 10 February 2012 at 10am at Larkbeare House, Exeter.

*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 10.00am and finished at 11.30am.