Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2011.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 March 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available at the meeting and at local libraries and Information Centres. You may also submit your question by e mail to democratic.services@stockport.gov.uk).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The report provides details of the audit work undertaken in the past year.

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

Officer Contact: Niki Riley 0161 474 4033 email:niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the audit work undertaken in the past year. The report contained an overall opinion on the Council's control framework.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted and further information be circulated to members in respect to Corporate Credit Cards and SEN Transport.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.

The report sets out the progress made by Internal Audit on the 2011/12 audit plan from 1 April 2010 to 31 May 2011.

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

Officer Contact: Niki Riley 0161 474 4033 email:niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress made by internal audit on the 2011/12 approved audit plan.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services)

The report provides the Committee with an update on progress made against each of the actions identified to address significant governance issues identified within the 2009/10 Annual Governance Statement.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley 0161 474 4033 email: niki.riley@ stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the governance issues identified through the 2009/10 Annual Governance statement.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services)

The report provides the Committee with an update on the 2010/11 Statement of Accounts process and highlights some of the significant issues which will feature in this year's accounts.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact : Christine Buxton 0161 474 4124 email: christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update on the 2010/11 Statement of Accounts process and highlighting some of he significant issues which would feature in this year's accounts.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services be requested to make the necessary arrangements for training in respect to the auditing of final accounts to take place on 20 July and 6 September 2011.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services)

The report provides an update on the underlying cash flow difficulties within Solutions SK.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact : Christine Buxton 0161 474 4124 email: christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update on action taken to resolve the underlying cash flow difficulties with Solutions SK.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Transformation)

The report provides information about the consultation document on the future of Local Audit.

The Committee is requested consider and comment on the report and agree the procedure for responding to the attached consultation document.

The Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) concerning the consultation on the future of Local Public Audit. The consultation, carried out by the Department for Communities and Local Government, would end on 30 June 2011. The Corporate Director circulated a list of possible responses and highlighted the key questions contained in the document including the future role of Audit Committees and the appointment by the Council of an external auditor. Due to the length of the consultation document and the detailed responses the Corporate Director suggested that Councillors delegate authority to him and the Chair to respond on the Committee's behalf and that Councillors forward any comments to him for inclusion in the response by 12 noon on 30 June 2011.

RESOLVED - That the Corporate Director, Corporate & Support Services, in consultation with the Chair, be authorised to respond to the consultation on the future role of Local Audit.

To consider the Audit Committee Update - June 2011.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Tim Watkinson, District Auditor and Andrew North, Audit Manager, Audit Commission submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update on the work of the Audit Commission in respect to delivering their responsibilities as the Council's external auditors.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider the proposed audit work for the 2011/12 financial year by the Audit Commission and the associated fee.

Tim Watkinson, District Auditor and Andrew North, Audit Manager, Audit Commission submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) confirming the proposed work to be undertaken for the 2011/12 financial year and outlining the work covered by the Audit fee.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted and the proposed fee for 2011/12 be approved and endorsed.