Agenda

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2023 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to report significant performance issues, arising from Q2 2023-24 performance monitoring, to Governance and Audit and Standards committee and highlight areas for further action or analysis.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee:

(i)         Notes the report in the revised format; and

(ii)       agrees if any further action is required in response to performance issues highlighted.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e. its borrowing and cash investments at 30 September 2023 and of the risks attached to that position.

Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the following be noted:

(i)             That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2023/24 in the period up to 30 September 2023 and

(ii)           That the actual Treasury Management indicators as at 30 September 2023 set out in Appendix A be noted.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to update the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee on the Internal Audit Performance for 2023/24 to 7 November 2023 against the Annual Audit Plan, highlight areas of concern and areas where assurance can be given on the internal control framework.

Recommendations

It is recommended:

(i)             That Members note the Audit Performance for 2023-24 to 7 November 2023 and

(ii)           That Members note the highlighted areas of concern in relation to audits completed from the 2023/24 Audit Plan, including follow up work performed.

Purpose

The purpose of this reports is to update members on the IPCO desktop exercise, the Authority’s use of Regulatory Powers for the period from 6^th January 2021 to 8^th November 2023 and policy changes.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee:

(i)             Note the desktop inspection carried out by IPCO Surveillance Inspector and results presented;

(ii)           Note that there have been two RIPA applications authorised since the last report to this Committee on the 15 January 2021; and

(iii)         Note the changes highlighted within the policy following legislative changes.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to update Members on any issues regarding compliance with Gifts & Hospitality Protocol and to advise on remedies.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

(i)             The Committee considers whether or not to make any recommendations for change; and

(ii)           In the absence of any changes, the report is noted.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to ask the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee to consider whether it wishes to disapply the political balance rules in respect of its Sub-Committees which consider complaints against Members and to agree that the same rule shall apply to the Initial Filtering Panel.

Recommendation

RECOMMENDED that the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee disapplies the political balance rules in respect of Governance and Audit and Standards Sub-Committees which are considering complaints against Members and also the same arrangement should apply in respect of Initial Filtering Panel membership.