Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report outlines the Council’s Annual Governance Action Plan arising from the latest Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2015/16.

The Audit Committee is asked to comment on the Annual Governance Statement Action Plan.

Officer Contact: John Pearsall on Tel: 0161 474 4033 or email: john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Council’s Annual Governance Action Plan arising from the latest Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2015/16.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Further clarification was sought on the reward and recognition scheme. In response, it was stated that the scheme was launched in October 2016 to recognise the contributions made my employees and had subsequently brought about 19 nominations, the recipients of which had been sent letters from senior management thanking them for their service.

·         Initial dialogue on the Section 75 pooled budget arrangements between the Internal Audit team and their Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) colleagues had begun, and the main focus was providing assurances on the risks to the Council associated with pooled budgets.

·         Members stressed the urgency in developing audit arrangements for the Section 75 pooled budget and the need for a diverse approach in order to make faster progress.

·         A two year post in the Internal Audit team dedicated to the Stockport Together programme had been filled by an officer with experience in auditing for the National Health Service.

·         The sickness absence management streamlining involved a shift towards less HR support and more responsibility from managers, by attending mandatory training to ensure there was a consistent and correct approach to the management of sickness absence.

·         The half year position on sickness absence was 5.16 days per full-time equivalent employee, which meant that it was likely that the full year position would be within the tolerance target of 9.5 to 10.5 days.

·         Sickness absence was on the corporate risk register and therefore being monitored, and was being considered for inclusion on the Internal Audit Plan for the following year.

·         Any managers who did not attend the mandatory sickness absence management training would receive a personal request from the Chief Executive and assurances were given to members that all managers would attend the training.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Audit Committee with further details on the audit responsibilities and actions for the Stockport Together programme.