Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Angela Guest Email: angela.guest@surreycc.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: An apologies for lateness was received from Mr Tim Hall who arrived at 10.15am during item 6 of the agenda. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING - 26 September 2016
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. Minutes: The Minutes were approved as an accurate record of the previous meeting. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter (i) Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or (ii) Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting NOTES: · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest · As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner) · Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial. Minutes: There were none. |
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QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
To receive any questions or petitions.
Notes: 1. The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (29 November 2016). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (28 November 2016). 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.
Minutes: There were none. |
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RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND BULLETIN
To review the Committee’s recommendations tracker and note the Bulletin which has been previously circulated. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest: None
Key points raised during the discussion: 1. A20/15 and A43/15 to be merged as one item. 2. Item A45/15, A1/16 and A4/16 to be removed.
Full discussion on the tracker items took place after item 6 on the agenda and included the following points:
3. A20/15 and A43/15 - Three Members had attended the Social Care Services Board (SCSB) meeting on 26 October to discuss Adult Social Care financial accounting. Each had differing levels of confidence that the issues were being taken seriously and being dealt with effectively. One of those Members who is also a Member of SCSB explained that work was taking place to improve the confidence of those receiving care, that were fearful or distrusting of banks and direct debits. The target was to have 100% payments by direct debit. 4. That the merged A20/15 and A43/15 items remain on the tracker in order that the issues be flagged up to the post election committee members. 5. That A18/15 – SEND strategy be kept on the tracker and reviewed in the New Year when the expected Ofsted letter was published.
Action/Further information to note: A20/15 and A43/15 to be merged as one item and Items A45/15, A1/16 and A4/16 to be removed from the tracker.
RESOLVED: That the committee NOTES the report.
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REVIEW OF ENTRIES TO THE ONLINE GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY REGISTER
To ensure compliance with the Gifts and Hospitality guidance and address the related Internal Audit recommendation, this report presents a summary of the gifts and hospitality recorded online during the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2016 for consideration by this Committee. Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Ken Akers, Head of Human Resources and Occupational Development
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Gifts and Hospitality Policy required the Chief Executive or a designated officer to present an annual report to an appropriate committee of the council for consideration. Apologies were given that a recent Internal Audit review of gifts and hospitality arrangements identified that a report was last presented to this Committee in 2011. 2. To ensure compliance with the Gifts and Hospitality guidance and address the related Internal Audit recommendation, this report presented a summary of the gifts and hospitality recorded online during the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2016. 3. The Head of Human Resources and Occupational Development, in response to a Member query reported that he saw no relation to Children, School’s and Families (CSF) department having the highest number of receipts and being the poorest performing department. That CSF worked closely with the public so it was to be expected that they would receive a higher number. 4. Members recognised that the system relied heavily on people being honest and in response to a query the Head of Human Resources and Occupational Development reported that managers are trained to act as role models, trends were monitored and Audit asked to look at areas of concern.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
That the annual report be put on the Committee’s forward plan for May/June 2017.
Resolved:
To note the content of this report, the detail of which has been shared with the Statutory Responsibility Network.
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Property Asset Management System: Update
The purpose of this report is to update the committee on progress made in the business as usual use of the Property Asset Management System (PAMS). Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Claire Barrett, Deputy Chief Property Officer Kevin Kilburn, Deputy Chief Finance Officer
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Deputy Chief Property Officer reported that the new IT system had been rolled out and was fully implemented apart from an interface to/from SAP for rent and service charge transactions which was hoped to be live by the new financial year. She explained that the system was made up of seven modules which were all in place and had gone live. Upgrades to systems, staff training and any developments to add further benefits to the system would be ongoing. 2. Members queried why the Council’s investment properties were not managed under PAMS as it would seem to improve efficiency to use the same system. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer undertook to look into and consider this proposal. 3. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer undertook to respond to a Member query regarding who presently managed the Halsey Garton properties after the meeting. 4. In response to a query regarding capacity issues of the PAMS system it was reported that the system was cloud hosted so the capacity could be endless.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
1. That the Deputy Chief Finance Officer and Chief Property Officer look into and consider the use of PAMS for the Halsey Garton properties. (Tracker A9/16) 2. That details of the current management details of Halsey Garton be sent to committee members following the meeting. (Tracker A10/16)
Resolved:
That progress made since the conclusion of the joint implementation project with Hampshire County Council was noted.
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The annual report and financial statements of Babcock 4S (formally VT4S) for the year ended 31 March 2016 were considered at a private meeting of the committee and the committee’s findings are presented for noting.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Kevin Kilburn, Deputy Chief Finance Officer
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. Members discussed the need to monitor Babcock 4s and how it would operate in the future with its diminishing support as a result of diminishing budgets. 2. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer reported that officers met with Babcock on a regular basis and were discussing ways forward. 3. One Member queried the lack of information on the County’s future position with Babcock as there appeared to be a retreat from Babcock on government services. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer offered to raise this issue with the portfolio holder. The Chairman would also write to the portfolio holder regarding the committee’s concerns.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
1. The Chairman to write a letter to the Cabinet Member for Business Services and Resident Experience regarding the Committee’s concerns. (Tracker A11/16) 2. Committee Manager to resend Babcock sales pack to Mr Barker. (Tracker A12/16)
Resolved:
1. To note the Annual Report and Statements; 2. To note the findings at the informal meeting of the Audit & Governance Committee.
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External Audit Update Report
This paper provides the Committee with a report on Grant Thornton’s progress in delivering their responsibilities as the Council’s external auditors. The paper also includes a summary of emerging national issues and developments.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Geoffrey Bannister, Grant Thornton
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. Mr Bannister introduced the report and explained that the audit involved looking at systems in place to capture details rather than looking at the details.
Resolved:
To note the external auditor’s progress report.
The Committee adjourned for a comfort break from 10.55 am and reconvened at 11.05 am. |
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2015/16 Audit Findings Report for SE Business Services and Halsey Garton
This report provides the Audit & Governance Committee with the outcome and findings of the external audit of the 2015/16 financial statements of S. E. Business Services Ltd and Halsey Garton Ltd. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses: Geoffrey Bannister, Grant Thornton Manager Susan Smyth, Strategic Finance Manager
Key points raised during the discussion:
Actions/ further information to be provided:
That the annual accounts be presented alongside the annual audits in future.
Resolved:
That the committee noted the 2015/16 Audit Findings Report for S. E. Business Services Ltd & Halsey Garton Ltd. |
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Treasury Management Half Year Report 2016/17
This report summarises the council’s treasury management activity and the council’s Prudential and Performance Indicators for the first half of 2016/17.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Phil Triggs, Strategic Manager Pensions & Treasury Alex Moylan, Senior Accountant
Key points raised during the discussion:
Actions/ further information to be provided:
That the Treasury Strategy be put on the Committee workplan for February 2017.
Resolved:
To note the Treasury Management Half Year Report for 2016/17.
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Internal Audit Half-Year Report
This interim report summarises the work of Internal Audit during the first six months of 2016/17. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses: Sue Lewry-Jones, Chief Internal Auditor
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Chief Internal Auditor introduced the report and explained that a formal follow-up on Foster Care would come back to this Committee. 2. There was some discussion around concerns that some internal problems were not being picked up before they came to the attention of outside agencies like Ofsted. One Member also raised concern about the level of cuts to back office staff. 3. With regards to youth services the Chief Internal Auditor reported that the Council Overview Board (COB) had requested that two reviews were undertaken; the first focussed on financial controls and the other on other areas. 4. In response to a query about the Council’s responsibility regarding HIV services the Chief Internal Auditor reported that she had been advised the Council had a statutory responsibility to provide open access to sexual services i.e. signposting. The service provided by the Terrence Higgins Trust was not part of the statutory service but was greatly valued. Difficulties may arise if some Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) decide not to fund this service. Statutory responsibilities were provided by the Council’s internal team. 5. In response to a query about raising the issue of inequity of CCGs with Members of Parliament (MPs) another member responded that this should be raised with the Cabinet Member and Health Scrutiny Chairman. 6. The Chief Internal Auditor reported that because no reassurance had been received that all 2015/16 monies had been received, Operation Horizon was continued to marked as red. There was some discussion whether there was the resources to do the expected monitoring. The Chief Internal Auditor was requested to enquire about this and ask for details on how they expected to cope in the future. 7. The Chief Internal Auditor explained that a follow-up audit on Trust Funds was taking place now.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
The Chief Internal Auditor was requested to enquire about the resources to do the expected monitoring for Operation Horizon. (Tracker A13/16)
Resolved:
To note the report. |
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Completed Internal Audit Reports
The purpose of this report is to inform Members of the Internal Audit reports that have been completed since the last meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Sue Lewry-Jones, Chief Internal Auditor Tim Semken, Lead Auditor Kirsty Malak, Commissioning Lead for Home Based Care (HBC) RevinderHothi, Senior Auditor Ian Lyall, Senior Procurement Officer
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Chief Internal Auditor introduced the report stating there had been 12 audits completed and of those two had been ranked effective and another two as needing significant improvement. She also reported that Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board would be receiving a report on civic parking enforcement to its meeting on 8 December. 2. Members discussed the issue of boroughs and districts not passing on their end of year statements to parking enforcement and the lack of enforcing deadlines. The Chairman agreed to write to the Chief Executive regarding the Committee’s concerns on this matter. 3. The Commissioning Lead for HBC explained that the audit was being taken very seriously by officers and work had started on the actions. The service was going out to tender for a new HBC contract and would feed any comments from Committee into that. 4. A Member queried to the lost of £445k by not invoking policies and asked if this was a case of officers not doing their job properly to which the Senior Auditor replied that the issue related to service monitoring and not the service provided by carers. There was evidence that guidance had been drafted but no evidence that guidance had been sent to providers. 5. In response to a query regarding claiming back the lost £445k the Commissioning Lead reported that there were eight strategic providers and all had submitted Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data. There had been an internal decision to change the way in which KPIs were collected so it was felt that providers shouldn’t be penalised for that. 6. In response to a query about the new HBC contract the Senior Procurement Officer explained that the current contract expires in September 2017 and that specifications were being reviewed with an aim to introduce more flexibility in the provision of care. 7. The Commissioning Lead also responded that if a provider goes bust the Council would be responsible for care which would be picked up by the localities teams.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
Chairman to write to the Chief Executive regarding the Committee’s concerns on boroughs and districts not passing on their end of year statements to parking enforcement and requesting that deadlines are enforced. (Tracker A14/16)
Resolved:
To note the report. |
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The purpose of this report is to inform members of the Audit and Governance Committee about irregularity investigations and proactive counter fraud work undertaken by Internal Audit in the first half of this financial year from 1 April to 30 September 2016. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Reem Burton, Lead Auditor Sue Lewry-Jones, Chief Internal Auditor
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Lead Auditor introduced the report stating that there had been 13 new investigations and that less time had been taken on them due to referring some things to others and taking on more of a support role. 2. The Lead Auditor gave further details on the Business Services figures of four thefts stating that three cases were proven, two cases for cash and the other was for theft of assets. In response to a query she stated that fraud had cost the council £586k since April 2011 and that data analytics was being used as a way forward. 3. There was some discussion regarding penalties and making public those found guilty of fraud. The Lead Auditor reported that the penalty was dependent on the value and nature of the fraud and that names were not circulated. She also reported that Government were considering have a register of people in positions of responsibility found guilty of fraud. The Chief Internal Auditor added that there had been incidents in the past whereby people had been reported to their professional bodies.
Resolved:
That the new Counter Fraud Strategy and Framework, attached at Annex A to the report was approved, and endorsed to council for inclusion in the Constitution.
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Risk Management Half-Year Report
This half-year risk management report has been produced to enable the committee to consider the risk management activity from April 2016 to date. To include the Leadership Risk Register. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Kevin Kilburn, Deputy Chief Finance Officer
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer introduced the report and explained the updates and increased risk levels as contained in paragraphs 15 and 16 of the report.
Resolved:
1. That the Committee were satisfied with the risk management arrangements; 2. To note the Leadership risk register (Annex B) and determined that there were no matters that they wished to draw to the attention of the Chief Executive, Cabinet, Cabinet Member or appropriate scrutiny board.
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Governance Update Report
The purpose of this report is to provide a half year update on the 2015/16 areas of focus outlined in the 2015/16 Annual Governance Statement. Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Kevin Kilburn, Deputy Chief Finance Officer
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Committee discussed the risks involved following Brexit and some expressed surprise that this was not on the risk register. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer stated that there was increasing uncertainty in the world and it would be difficult to pin down specific risks relating to Brexit. 2. A Member expressed concerns for the future of Council Tax collection when wages were predicted to be static for the next 10 years and all costs of living going up, including Council Tax. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer responded that Council Tax collection rate was very high in Surrey and that figure would be the first to be affected if there was a problem.
Resolved:
a) That it was satisfied with the ongoing governance work; and b) That there were no concerns to be referred to the Cabinet or to the relevant Cabinet Member.
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DRAFT Work Programme 2017
The Committee’s draft workplan for 2017 is attached for information. Additional documents: Minutes: The draft work programme for 2017 was noted.
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Audit & Governance Committee will be on 20 February 2017. Minutes: The date of the meeting was NOTED. |