Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2019, attached.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2019 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 County Treasurer (CT/20/36), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/20/36) summarising the Partnership’s activity in the first nine months of 2019/20.

Members noted:

·       the continued successful work of the Counter Fraud Team.

·       the small operating surplus of £10,000 projected for 2019/20, and the ongoing work to evaluate the impact of Covid-19.

·       new business for the Partnership with the contract secured with Plymouth University for their Intereg Circular Seas project and discussions underway with further potential partners for internal audit work.

Members praised the work of DAP staff for the positive update report.

It was MOVED by Councillor Evans, SECONDED by Councillor Gribble and

RESOLVED

that the Committee notes the nine month update report of the County Treasurer.

Report of Head of Partnership (CT/20/34), attached.

The Committee received the report of the County Treasurer (CT/20/34) monitoring the Budget of the Partnership at month 9, indicating an overall underspend at the year end due to increased work undertaken, but this had been offset by the increase in staff to complete the work.

Members noted:

·       the small income surplus of £5900.

·       a request for further information on the travel lump sum.

·       the type of accounting system the Partnership uses being in line with Local Government rather than a limited company.

·       Employee costs given the Covid-19 situation. All Partnership staff can work from home, so audits will be able to continue remotely and Skype can be deployed, but there may be some limitations to the work that can be undertaken where clients’ officers are closed.

·       The County Treasurer advised that is too early to tell the impact of the virus. The Partnership along with all areas of the County Council business are developing contingency plans.

It was MOVED by Councillor Gribble, SECONDED by Councillor Loxton.

RESOLVED

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

Report of Head of Partnership (CT/20/35), attached.

The Deputy Head of Devon Audit Partnership presented the budget for 2020/21, which includes the income expected from North Devon Council joining the Partnership.

Members noted:

·       the Partnership is aware of the expected pay award for staff and the impact it will have on payroll related costs.

·       the work underway to generate new business.

·       year on year income has steadily increased and it is hoped that trend will continue.

·       some EU grant funded projects will continue for the next few years. Further down the line there may be a need to replace this funding stream.

It was MOVED by Councillor Evans, SECONDED by Councillor Gribble and

RESOLVED

that the Committee agrees the proposed budget for 2020/21 and the areas of uncertainty within the budgeted income figure.

The Committee agreed to meetings at 10.30am on 14 July 2020 and 17 November 2020.