Agenda item

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out proposed revisions to the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

The Working Party is requested to comment on the proposed changes with a view to the revised Financial Procedure Rules and consequential changes, as set out in the schedules, going forward via the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee and Executive Meeting for adoption by the Council Meeting on 28 January 2016.

Officer Contact: Steve Houston on 0161 474 4000 or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out proposed revisions to the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules. The report would subsequently be considered by the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 8 December 2015, the Executive Meeting on 5 January 2016 and the Council Meeting on 28 January 2016.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The proposed changes to the Financial Procedure Rules were supported by operational guidance.

·         The proposed changes removed outdated terminology and cleared up ambiguity where there was doubt over interpretation.

·         None of the proposed changes were as a direct result of fraud or corruption within the Council.

·         The Financial Procedures Rules had been written in such a way so as to accommodate possible changes to the job titles of senior Council Officers.

·         The Financial Procedural Rules may have to be revisited to accommodate partnership working with the health service, for example changes resulting from a review of the Health and Wellbeing Integrated Commissioning Board.

·         It was confirmed that budget holders were required to ensure that financial records, ie documents supporting a payment or an item of income received, were retained for six years or the periods specified by statute if longer.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Working Party be forwarded to the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee for consideration.