Agenda and minutes

Venue: Burnley Town Hall

Contact: Imelda Grady  Democracy Officer

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Margaret Lishman.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

The  Minutes of the meeting held on 6th March 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair..

3.

Annual Governance Statement 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To present the Annual Governance Statement for 2018/19 to the Audit and Standards Committee for approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Internal Auditor, Slam Hussain presented the Annual Governance Statement for 2018/19 for approval by the Committee as those charged with governance under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

 

Members were advised that the statement had been produced in accordance with the proper practice using guidance from CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) and SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives).

 

The Statement was supported by assurances from Executive members and the Chair of Scrutiny, Heads of Service, Liberata and the Council’s Management Team and no issues had been reported.  Any minor weaknesses identified in governance had been addressed.

 

The Statement had been signed off by the Council Leader and the Chief Executive and would accompany the externally audited Statement of Accounts 2018/19.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Annual Governance Statement be approved.

 

 

 

 

4.

Audit Findings Report 2018/19 and Statement of Accounts 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 4 MB

To consider a report on an Audit Findings Report 2018/19 and Statement of Accounts 2018/19 (to follow)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mark Heap presented the external auditors Audit Findings report highlighting  the key findings on the Council’s financial statement and value for money arrangements.  He explained that two adjustments had been made to the Statement to take account of the recent ‘McCLoud judgement’ in respect of pension fund liabilities and also a prior year adjustment for the revaluation of a Council asset and the figures had been revised and updated.  He concluded that the Council had proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of its resources and that there were no matters of concern that needed to be brought to the attention of the Committee and that he was ready to give an unqualified Audit opinion. 

 

Louise Gaskell asked about the pension fund liabilities and if this would impact on the Council’s financial position.  The Head of Finance and Property explained the MCloud ruling was about age discrimination arising from public sector pension scheme transition arrangements and actuaries had been commissioned to quantify and provide an appropriate estimate to include in the 2018/19 accounts.  Marianne Dixon said that the formality for final sign-off of Burnley’s accounts by Grant Thornton would occur once the Lancashire Pension Fund had its accounts audit completed which was expected within the next week.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the Statement of Accounts be approved;

 

(2)  That the draft Letter of Representation be approved; and

 

(3)  That the findings of the external auditor be noted.

 

 

5.

Internal Audit Opinion 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To provide members with the Head of Finance and Property as Chief Audit Executive (CAE) opinion on the Internal Controls of the Council for financial year 2018-2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Internal Audit Manager presented a report detailing the opinion of the Head of Finance and Property as the Chief Audit Executive on the internal controls of the Council for the financial year 2018/19.

 

He outlined the work that had been carried out during the year and concluded that the controls of the Council continued to operate effectively, complied with policy, separation of duties, authorisation, monitoring and internal checks. Where weaknesses had been identified they had been addressed as part of an agreed action plan and would be monitored for compliance.

 

IT WAS AGREED

 

That the report be noted.

6.

Internal Audit Plan 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 191 KB

To inform on the audit planning process and seek approval from members on the proposed Internal Audit plan for 2019-20 and the Internal Audit Charter and Strategy 2019

Minutes:

The Internal Auditor, Ilyas Ismail informed members of the audit planning process for 2019-20 and the Internal Audit Charter and Strategy 2019.

 

He explained that the Committee was the ‘Board’ in respect of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) and as part of this role it was required to consider approval of a risk based internal audit plan  and ensure that the service is delivered effectively and in accordance with proper practices.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Internal Audit Plan and the Internal Audit Charter and Strategy be approved.

 

7.

Internal Audit Effectiveness pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To inform on the effectiveness of Internal Audit and the application of new key standards documents

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Internal Audit Manager presented a report which considered the effectiveness of Internal Audit and the application of new key standards documents issued by CIPFA (Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy) on its Local Government Application Note and the Role of the Head of Internal Audit. There were no substantial changes and there were no significant issues to report and the service continued to run satisfactorily.

 

IT WAS AGREED

 

That the report be noted.

8.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 51 KB

To consider the Work Programme for the current year.

Minutes:

The work programme for 2019/20 was noted.