Venue: Remote Meeting
Contact: Joss Butler Email: joss.butler@surreycc.gov.uk
Note: Please note that due to the Covid-19 situation this meeting will take place remotely.
No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Stephen Cooksey. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (22 May 2020) PDF 96 KB
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. Additional documents: 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. Additional documents: 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 (24 August 2020). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (21 August 2020). 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were none. |
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RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER PDF 95 KB
To review the Committee’s recommendations tracker. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: David John, Audit Manager
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. In regards to action A2/19, the Audit Manager confirmed that the report had been published and had received reasonable assurance. The Committee agreed that the action could be marked complete. 2. In regards to action A2/18, Member highlighted that, in light of changes to business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was now an appropriate time to request a report outlining the council’s process to support business continuity.
Action/Further information to note:
A20/20 - Committee Manager to discuss with key officers an appropriate time for the Committee to consider a report on business continuity which takes into account situations which affect home working.
RESOLVED:
The Committee noted the actions tracker.
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Risk management update PDF 97 KB
To provide an update on the procurement of a strategic risk partner to enable the committee to meet its responsibilities for monitoring the development and operation of the council’s risk management arrangements. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Anna D’Alessandro, Director – Corporate Finance
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Director – Corporate Finance introduced the report and provided Members with a brief overview. It was noted that risk management consultants, Gallagher Bassett, had carried out a Baseline Review of the Council’s Strategic Risk Management arrangements at the end of 2019 and a number of recommendations were made. The council procured a strategic risk partner to support the implementation of the recommendations with the aim of raising the profile, impact and effectiveness of the council’s approach to risk management and ensuring clear policies were in place, adequately resourced and had full engagement across the Council. The contract for this work was awarded to Ernst & Young (EY) and details of their approach were outlined in the report. 2. Members sought financial details of the contract awarded to EY. Officers stated that financial information was confidential and agreed to circulate details outside of the meeting. 3. The Committee agreed to invite EY to the next meeting on 1 October 2020 to provide an overview of their approach and details of next steps.
Action/Further information to note:
1. A21/20 - The Committee agreed to invite EY to the next meeting on 1 October 2020 to provide an overview of their approach and details of next steps.
RESOLVED:
The Committee considered the contents of the report and confirm they were satisfied with the next steps.
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Internal Audit & Counter Fraud Annual Report and Opinion 2019-20 PDF 92 KB
The purpose of this report is to give an opinion on the adequacy of Surrey County Council’s control environment as a contribution to the proper, economic, efficient and effective use of resources. The report covers the audit work completed in the year from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 in accordance with the Internal Audit Strategy for 2019/20. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: David John, Audit Manager Russell Banks, Chief Internal Auditor Anna D’allessandro, Director – Corporate Finance
Key points raised during the discussion:
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2019/20 Treasury Management Outturn Report PDF 167 KB
This report summarises the Council’s treasury management activities during 2019/20, as required, to ensure compliance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice (the CIPFA Code) which requires the Authority to approve a treasury management annual report after the end of each financial year. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Anna D’Alessandro, Director – Corporate Finance Haley Woollard, Manager - Treasury Centre of Expertise for Orbis Key points raised during the discussion:
Action/Further information to note:
None.
RESOLVED:
The Committee noted the content of the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2019/20 and compliance with all Prudential Indicators.
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Any Other Business
Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Ciaran McLaughlin, Grant Thornton Anna D’Alessandro, Director – Corporate Finance
Key points raised during the discussion:
Surrey County Council and Pension Fund External Audit Verbal Update – Grant Thornton
1. Ciaran McLaughlin, Grant Thornton, provided Members with an update on the council and pension fund external audit. Members noted the following details: · Almost all areas of the audit were in progress, and all samples had been selected. There were minor disclosures where work needed to be commenced. Audit aim to turn around all sample testing in the next two weeks. · In regards to Value for Money, the existing qualification ... view the full minutes text for item 31/20 |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Audit & Governance Committee will be on 1 October 2020. Additional documents: Minutes: The date of the meeting was noted as 1 October 2020 |