Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Bridges, G Jones, C Large and N Smith.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2013.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2013.

It was moved by Councillor D De Lacy, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 25 September 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services and Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer presented the report to Members.

Councillor T Neilson commented that the Council was still receiving a high number of Freedom of Information requests.  Councillor D Everitt asked if there was a limit on the time frame for historical data requests.  The Monitoring Officer explained that there was no limit and if the information was available it did not matter how historical it was.  The limit was related to the amount of Officer time involved in retrieving the information, if the time required was more than the threshold then a request could be refused.  To date, the Council had not refused any requests.

It was moved by Councillor T Neilson, seconded by Councillor R Woodward and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be received and noted.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services and Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer presented the report to Members.

Members welcomed the report and felt that the views of Parish Members were important.

It was moved by Councillor T Neilson, seconded by Councillor D De Lacy and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)     The proposed contact with Parish Councils be agreed.

b)     To receive nominations from Parish Councils for consideration at the next Audit and Governance Committee meeting in March 2014.

Report of the Head of Finance

Mr J Cornett, External Auditor, presented the report to Members.

Councillor T Neilson offered his thanks for the work undertaken both by External Audit and internal Officers.

It was moved by Councillor T Neilson, seconded by Councillor R Woodward and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Annual Audit Letter 2012/13 be noted.

Report of the Head of Finance

The Senior Auditor presented the report to Members.

Councillor T Neilson referred to the Service Plan Actions, in particular the target to be compliant with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards by 31 March 2013, which was on hold, and asked if it would meet the deadline.  The Senior Auditor explained that an action plan would be completed in January and an update would be brought back to the Committee in March, however it was unlikely that all the actions would be achieved by the March deadline.

It was moved by Councillor T Neilson, seconded by Councillor D Everitt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Report of the Head of Finance

The Head of Finance presented the report to Members.

Councillor D De Lacy enquired how it would affect the investments if the interest rates were to increase.  The Head of Finance responded that the long term loans would not be affected as the rates were fixed, and the short term investments would benefit as the interest rates recovered.

Councillor A C Saffell asked for confirmation that the investments made with the Royal Bank of Scotland were safe due to the recent issues with the bank.  The Head of Finance confirmed that the Council had treasury advisors that gave regular updates and he assured Members that as the bank was supported by the Government it was one of the most secure, even though there had been some negative press in recent days.

In response to a question from Councillor R Woodward, the Head of Finance explained that the Council did not have any investments in the Nationwide Building Society but it was still within the report for consistency as investments had been made in the past.

It was moved by Councillor T Neilson, seconded by Councillor R Woodward and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be approved.