Agenda

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January as a correct record.

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At its meeting on 3 March, the Cabinet resolved that Elected Members of the Council will not sit on the new Transport Appeal Panel.  As a consequence, the new Transport Appeal Panel will no longer be part of the political management structure.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee recommends to Council that the Constitution be amended to reflect the Cabinet decision so as to delete the section in Part 2 Section 2 entitled "School Transport & Student Awards Appeals committee" and make any other consequential amendments.

(1)          Audit Plan - year end 31 March 2014

The purpose of this report is to provide the Audit Committee with a basis to review the proposed audit approach and scope for the 2013/14 audit in accordance with the Audit Commission Act 1998, the Code of Audit practice, the Standing Guidance, auditing standards and other professional requirements, but also to ensure that the audit is aligned with the Committee's service expectations.

RECOMMENDED that the Audit Plan for year ending 31 March 2014 be noted.

(2)          Local Government Audit Committee Briefing (information only)

The purpose of the report is to present the independent report and recommendations produced by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) 2014, chaired by Professor John Craven 

(1)          For the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee to consider whether it is satisfied with the way the Independent panel undertook the review and

(2)          For consideration and determination at Full Council

RECOMMENDED that Governance and Audit and Standards Committee confirms that it is satisfied with the way the Independent Panel undertook the review.

The purpose of this report is to obtain the Council’s approval for 2014/15 to the following (attached):

·                     Treasury Management Policy Statement

·                     Annual Minimum Revenue Provision for Debt Repayment Statement

·                     Annual Investment Strategy

RECOMMENDED that the report be noted.

The purpose of the report is to inform members of performance issues arising in the third quarter of the 2013-14 reporting period, and update on work relating to cost benchmarking.

RECOMMENDED that the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee are asked to note the report and comment on:

(1)          The performance issues highlighted in section 4; and

(2)          The cost benchmarking activity outlined in section 6.

This report is to update the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee on the Internal Audit Performance for 2013/14 to 10 February 2014 against the Annual Audit Plan, highlight areas of concern and areas where assurance can be given on the internal control framework.

RECOMMENDED that members note

(1)          the Audit Performance for 2013/14 to 10 February 2014.

(2)          the changes in the Audit Plan.

The purpose of the report is to inform members that there has been one RIPA authorisation since the last report to Members dated 26/6/13, that numbers of RIPA applications have declined and the reasons for this.

RECOMMENDED that Members note the fact that there has only been one RIPA application since the last report and the reasons why the use of RIPA applications has declined.

The next meeting is scheduled for 26 June 2014.