Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2018, attached.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2018 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman 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 Devon Audit Partnership, attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of the Devon Audit Partnership (CT/19/31) setting out the work of the Partnership with South Hams District and West Devon Borough councils.

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

·           inviting South Hams District and West Devon Borough councils to join in the first instance as ‘non-voting’ partners with the option to become ‘full’ partners should that be desirable.

·           DAP have been working with South Hams District and West Devon Borough since 2014. The current contract is for 5 years with a 2-year extension option.

·           the need for the Committee to approve any prospective move to ‘full’ member status.

It was MOVED by Councillor Tyerman, SECONDED by Councillor Mathews

 i.      that the Committee notes and agrees to both South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council becoming a non-voting partner of the Partnership with effect from April 2019.

ii.      that the Committee approve any prospective move to ‘full’ member status for both South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council.

iii.      that to leave the Partnership ‘non-voting’ partners be required to provide a rolling year’s notice.

Report of the County Treasurer, attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Devon Audit Partnership (CT/19/32) summarising the Partnership’s activity in the first nine months of 2018/19.

Members noted:

·       DAP received the accolade of ‘Highly Commended’ for second place at the recent Government Counter Fraud Awards.

·       the small operating surplus of £5,000 projected for 2018/19.

·       new business for the Partnership with the contract secured for Cornwall Council’s data security and data protection reviews at independent care homes in the County.

·       work with Audit South West, on health-related cyber security, business continuity and data security protection.

·       the unsuccessful bid to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service.

·       a dip in internal audit performance, which had primarily been due to staffing issues. Members were reassured by the steps the Head of Devon Audit Partnership had taken to address this matter.

It was MOVED by Councillor O’Dwyer, SECONDED by Councillor Deed and

RESOLVED

that a breakdown per sector of the audit work undertaken by Devon Audit Partnership be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

Report of Head of Partnership, attached.

The Committee received the report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/33) monitoring the Budget of the Partnership at month 10, indicating a slight 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 £5000.

·       efficiency savings from the Plymouth Counter Fraud Team being brought over to Devon Audit Partnership. £5,000 in 2018/19.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hackett, SECONDED by Councillor Evans.

RESOLVED

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

Report of Head of Partnership, attached.

(Councillor J Mathews declared a Personal Interest in this item by virtue of being a Member of the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service)

The Head of Devon Audit Partnership presented the budget for 2019/20, which included the full year impact of the transfer of the Counter Fraud Team from Plymouth City Council to the Partnership.

Members noted:

·       the Partnership is aware of the agreed 2% pay award for staff and the impact it will have on payroll related costs.

·       the impact Brexit could have on EU grant funding the Partnership receives.

·       additional costs that the Counter Fraud Team could incur and the budgetary implications this could result in.

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

RESOLVED

that the Committee agrees the proposed budget for 2019/29 and the areas of uncertainty within the budgeted income figure.

The Committee agreed to meetings at 10.30am on 24 June 2019, 11 November 2019 and 10 March 2020.