Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 September 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available the meeting and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Governance Group.

The report provides an update on progress made against each of the actions identified within the Annual Governance Statement for 2011/12.

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley Tel: 474 4033 or email:niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress made against each of the actions identified within the Annual Governance Statement for 2011/2012.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was suggested that a report be submitted to a future meeting explaining the governance arrangements between the Council and its wholly owned companies.

·         Improving access to the Council’s publication scheme and consideration of publishing information released under the Freedom of Information Act.

·         The appointment of a new Head of Organisational Development.

·         Collaborative working with external organisations such as other local authorities and other public sector organisations.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that a report be submitted to a future meeting outlining the governance arrangements between the Council and its wholly owned companies.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The report details progress against the agreed Internal Audit Plan 2012/13 for the period 1 September -30 November 2012.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley Tel: 474 4033 or email: niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Internal Auditor submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing progress against the agreed internal audit plan 2012/2013 for the period 1 September 2012 – 30 November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The report provides a summary of the recently published Audit Commission report – Protecting the Public Purse.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley Tel: 474 4033 or email:niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Internal Auditor submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the recently published Audit Commission report – Protecting the Public Purse.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought in respect to the tendering of contracts and the Council’s procurement arrangements.

·         The allocation of resources for the collection of business rates.

·         The relationship between the Council and newly formed Academies.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The report provides a summary of the recently concluded consultation on the draft Local Audit Bill.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley Tel: 474 4033 or email: niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Internal Auditor submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the recently concluded consultation on the draft Local Audit Bill.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that an update be submitted to the March meeting of the Committee.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The report explains the process that will be undertaken to produce the Internal Audit Plan for 2013/2014.

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley on Tel: 474 4033 or email: niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Internal Auditor submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining the process that would be undertaken to produce the internal audit plan for 2013/2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

This report provides an update on the Council’s arrangements for ensuring effective business continuity both for dealing with major incidents and also more localised arrangements for ensuring services are able to maintain services at an acceptable level.

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Andrew Pollard Tel: 474 4018 or email: andrew.pollard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Council’s arrangements for ensuring effective business continuity both for dealing with major incidents and also more localised arrangements for ensuring services were able to maintain services at an acceptable level.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The criteria for identifying critical services

·         The alignment of emergency planning and business continuity arrangements.

·         Training provided to Councillors for dealing with and responding to emergencies.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that an update be provided to the Committee in 6 months’ time.

To consider the planned audit fee for 2012/2013.

Mick Waite and Andrew North, Grant Thornton UK LLP submitted the Planned Audit fee for 2012/2013 (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to consider the scale and scope of the fee and outlining the audit timetable.

RESOLVED – That the audit fee for 2012/2013 and the outline audit timetable be noted.