Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2017, attached.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2017 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Report of the Head of The County Treasurer (CT/17/89), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership (CT/17/89) summarising the Partnership’s activity in the first six months of 2017/18. 

The Head of Partnership and Members discussed and noted, in particular:

·         the Partnership recognises the need to diversify the services it provides and expand the current product range to include services that complement internal audit and help towards the wider “assurance” agenda for partners and clients. Examples of such services may include fraud, corporate governance, information governance and risk management.

·         a change in the name of the Partnership from April 2018 to reflect the proposed wider role of the function with the Devon Assurance Partnership suggested by the Head of Devon Audit Partnership. Members however agreed that it was essential ‘Audit’ remained in the name.

·         the need to ensure adequate staff capacity to cover a likely increase in workload.

·         New work for Hampshire County Council with AmicusHorizon, which represents an important potential “way in” for the Partnership to develop work with housing associations.

·         The reduction in the percentage of Audit Plans completed was attributable to work now being ongoing for a longer period than it used to be as the emphasis on advice and guidance has grown.

·         Sickness levels remain higher than the targeted outcomes, although lower than at the same quarter in the last two years.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hackett, SECONDED by Councillor Mathews and

RESOLVED

that the Committee notes the report and agrees in principle to the Devon Audit Partnership being renamed the Devon Audit & Assurance Partnership subject to further conversations between the Head of Devon Audit Partnership and marketing colleagues.

Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/90), attached

The Committee received the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/90) monitoring the Budget of the Partnership at month 6, indicating a potential slight underspend at year-end due to increased work undertaken.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hackett, SECONDED by Councillor Tyerman and

RESOLVED

that the Committee note the projected outturn, variances and reason.

Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/91), attached

(Councillor Mathews declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being appointed by the County Council onto the Park School Trust.)

The Committee considered the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/91) setting out the updated Strategic and Operational risks currently facing the Partnership.

The Head of Partnership discussed working with academies, and how the Partnership can better position itself to provide services to these schools.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hackett, SECONDED by Councillor Mathews and

RESOLVED

that the Committee notes the updated Strategic and Operational Risk Register; and the actions in place to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/92), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/92) setting out potential performance indicators.

Members discussed and noted, in particular:

·         Use of performance indicators to differentiate types of sickness absence, along with the need to closely monitor absence for stress and work to understand the underlying reasons.

·         Recognition in performance targets that the Partnership has an older than average staff group, reflecting the need for a certain level of experience and skills within the role, which may increase sickness rates.

It was MOVED by Councillor Mathews, SECONDED by Councillor Tyerman and

RESOLVED

that the work to improve performance indicators be welcomed and continued.

7 March 2018 and 20 June 2018.