Agenda item - Audit & Standards Committee Work Programme 2013/14

Reports of the Executive Director of Finance & Resources and the Head of Legal & Democratic Services (copy attached).

6.1             The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Finance & Resources and the Head of Legal & Democratic Services in relation to the Audit & Standards Committee Work Programme 2013/14. The report presented the proposed 2013/14 Audit & Standards Committee work programme for consideration.

6.2             The Head of Legal & Democratic Services explained that subject to the review of the constitution currently taking place some items might come forward, and it was the intention that the Committee would continue to review protocols in a similar way to the work undertaken by the decommissioned Standards Committee.

6.3             Councillor Wealls asked how the work of the Committee could link up to other areas of the Council, and he made reference to the work of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee. In response Officers agreed to take this matter away for further consideration, and to propose a way forward by way of a report to a future meeting. Councillor Pissaridou also referenced her own personal experience where recommendations made at Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee meetings had not been followed up.

6.4             Following a query from Councillor Summers it was clarified by Councillor Hamilton that the Targeted Budget Management (TBM) reports were referred to the Committee for information from the Policy & Resources Committee.

6.5             Dr Horne stated that it was very helpful to have the internal audit progress reports at most meetings, and he proposed that they be reported to every meeting as a standing item. This was then agreed by the Committee.

6.6             Councillor Wealls highlighted the potential for benchmarking, and asked what lessons the Committee could learn from the way other local authorities discharged similar functions through committee. Officers noted that there would be some benchmarking work undertaken later in the year; there would also be reviews of the effectiveness of audit and there had in the past been a working party to look at similar issues.

6.7             RESOLVED:

(i)                 That the Committee notes the proposed Audit & Standards Committee Work Programme for 2013/14 as set out in the Appendix.

(ii)               That the Committee requests the Head of Audit & Business Risk to keep the Work Programme updated to reflect new items as they are identified.

(iii)             That the Committee receive internal audit progress reports at each meeting.