Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 March 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

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 Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The report sets out the progress made by internal audit against the approved 2013/14 and 2014/15 internal audit plan for the period 1st March 2014 to 31st May 2014.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out progress made against the approved 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 internal audit plan for the period 1 March 2014 to 31 May 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

It is a requirement of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) that the Internal Audit & Risk Manager prepares an annual report containing an overall opinion on the Council’s control framework. The attached report contains this statement and details the audit work undertaken in the year from which the overall opinion has been drawn.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the overall opinion on the Council’s control framework and detailing audit work undertaken in the year from which the overall opinion was drawn.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the performance indicator for Customer Satisfaction should be raised from 80% as this had been exceeded in 2013/2014.

·         Councillors noted that progress had been made in respect to risk management and the Council was well positioned to manage risk in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The current Risk Strategy was developed in 2007 and although changes have been made in the interim, the current pace of development with Council services requires an update and change of approach particularly in terms of the Council’s appetite for risk and how current and emerging risks are identified, evidenced and controlled. The report sets out the on-going work around risk management arrangements within the Council.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the on-going work around risk management arrangements within the Council.

RESOLVED – That the report noted.

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

The report outlines some key national developments in relation to Internal and external audit within Local Government, namely the:

1. Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014;
2. Audit Commission status;
3. LGA taking on responsibilities form Audit Commission.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining key national development in relation to internal and external audit within Local Government including (i) Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (ii) Audit Commission status and (iii) LGA taking on responsibilities from Audit Commission.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

This report provides information in relation to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plans to form a Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) and the impact to Stockport Council on that decision.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information relating to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plans to form a Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) and the impact on Stockport Council from that decision.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) came into effect from 1 April 2013 and replaced the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit in Local Government. The new standards are a result of collaboration between CIPFA and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) to develop a common set of audit standards for the public sector.

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

Officer Contact: John Pearsall on Tel: 474 4033 or email: john.pearsall@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 effects of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) which came into effect from 1 April 2013 and replaced the CIPFA Code of practice for Internal Audit and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) to develop a common set of audit standards for the public sector.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the External Auditors.

Officer Contact: Mick Waite on Tel: 234 6347 or email: mick.j.waite@uk.gt.com

Andrew North ( Grant Thornton) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Audit Committee with an update on progress made for delivering on Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the External Auditor. The report included a summary of emerging national issues which may impact on the Council.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the External Auditor.

Officer Contact: Mick Waite on Tel: 234 6347 or email: mick.j.waite@uk.gt.com

Andrew North (Grant Thornton) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for consideration the Audit Plan update. The report outlined challenges and opportunities for the Council, identified any risks and provided a value for money assessment.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.