20 June 2012

Present:

Devon County Council

Councillor Clatworthy

Plymouth Council

Councillor Wheeler (Chairman)

Torbay Council

Councillor Hill

Apologies

Sir Simon Day and Councillors Lowry and Stringer

*57 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*58 Partnership Annual Report June 2012

The Committee received the report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership on a review of the service development and progress of the Partnership that has now been operational for 3 years. The report covered the cost savings, proactively managed performance and staff levels that have led the Partnership to achieve local and national recognition and went on to deal with the Partnership s improved IT functionality, the work being undertaken on a revised marketing strategy, accommodation, internal audit performance and new business. The report concluded with the move towards a Customer Service Excellence Standard and an assessment of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Head of Devon Audit Partnership reported that this would be his last annual report as he would be leaving later this year.

Members asked questions in relation to staff, whether there was any spare capacity and the accommodation capacity at Larkbeare House. Questions were asked about the performance for Plymouth which appeared to be down on that for Torbay and Devon and whether District Councils would be attracted to joining the Partnership as budget reductions continue to bite during the recession. The Committee thanked the Head of Devon Audit Partnership for his outstanding contribution to the success of the Partnership since it s inception.

*59 Marketing/Communication Strategy

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership on a strategy to identify and attract new business by rebranding and marketing itself in a professional way. The report set out the strategy s aims and objectives, undertook a SWAT analysis of the DAP, extracted key messages and identified channels to attract new business. The report concluded with an Action Plan for this year with a review in April 2013.

The Committee asked questions about the need to grow the business without too much risk for the benefit of the three authorities and discussed possibly becoming involved with the university sector and higher education colleges. It was agreed that a marketing report should come to all future meetings to update Members on progress.

*60 Outturn Report

(a) Outturn for 2011/12

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership on the outturn position for the Partnership for the 2011/12 financial year. The summary outturn chart showed actual outturn against approved budget for income, employees, premises, supplies and services, transport/travel and support services, and gave reasons for the major variances identified.

(b) Annual Return for Year Ended 31 March 2012

The Committee noted the copy of the completed Annual Return as required by the Audit Commission.

RESOLVED that approval be given for the Chairman to sign the Annual Return on behalf of the Devon Audit Partnership.

*61 Date of Next Meeting

RESOLVED that the next meeting be held on Wednesday 3 October 2012 at 10.30am at County Hall, 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 10.30am and finished at 12.00pm