Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 28^th November 2018 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 28^th November 2018 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman reported that he had accepted two items of urgent business which required consideration prior to the next Committee. The first related to the Draft Strategic Risk Register (Minute 25 refers.) and the second was a report on Accounting Policies used in the Preparation of the Statement of Accounts (Minute 24 refers.).

In accordance with S100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman requested that the Committee give consideration to an item of urgent business regarding a report on Accounting Policies used in the Preparation of the Statement of Accounts. The Chairman had accepted this as an item of urgent business as approval of the accounting policies was required prior to the next meeting of the Committee. 

The Deputy Section 151 Officer presented the report.

It was reported that accountancy policies were the specific principals, conventions, rules and practices applied by the Council in preparing and presenting its financial statements. The Statement should contain only policies that were relevant to the circumstances of the Council and which addressed material transactions. They should be subject to annual review and agreement by those charged with governance.

The Committee was advised that The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting (the Code) had adopted International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 15 – 'Revenue from contracts with customers' and IFRS 9 – 'Financial instruments' with effect from 2018/19. The Council’s accounting policies had therefore been amended to reflect these changes to the Code and also the materiality of its transactions.

A copy of the amended accounting policies was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Members asked questions regarding the changes and the impact of changes to the policies and were advised that they were mainly technical changes which would have limited impact.

It was proposed by Councillor Colin Hartley and seconded by Councillor Oliver Robinson:

“That the recommendation set out in the report be approved.”

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That the accounting policies, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, incorporating the identified changes, be approved.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Internal Audit and Assurance Manager

Report of the Internal Audit and Assurance Manager

The IAAM presented a report which sought approval for the annual review of the Internal Audit Charter.

Members were advised that in accordance with Internal Audit Standards, the Charter should be reviewed periodically. The last review was carried out on the 21 February 2018.

It  was reported that  only  a few minor changes were needed to take into consideration that following a recent organisational restructure, ‘Management Team’ was now the ‘Executive Team’ and the IAAM now reported directly to the Council’s Section 151 Officer following the departure of the Council’s Chief Officer (Resources).

Members asked a number of questions relating to the Internal Audit Charter and agreed that the periodic review of the Charter should continue to take place annually.

It was proposed by Councillor Colin Hartley and seconded by Councillor Oliver Robinson:

“That the recommendation set out in the report be approved.”

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That the Internal Audit Charter, submitted at Appendix A to the report be approved.

Report of the Internal Audit and Assurance Manager

The IAAM presented a report which sought the Committee’s approval for the proposed Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Risk Based Plan for 2019/20.

It was reported that the Internal Audit Strategy was a high-level statement of how the Internal Audit Service would be delivered and developed in accordance with its internal Audit Charter and how it linked to the Council’s organisational objectives and priorities.

A copy of the Audit Plan for 2019/20 was attached as Appendix B to the report. Members were advised that the audit plan looked different from previous years due to the removal of allocated days. The IAAM explained that this was to keep the audit plan flexible, recognising the imminent changes the council faces over the next 12 months but also acknowledging the reduced resources within the team.

It was reported that following the resignation of the Deputy IAAM in December 2018, and subject to Audit Committee approval, temporary arrangements had been provisionally made with Lancashire County Council to provide up to 50 audit days to assist in the delivery of the 2019/20 Audit Plan.

It was also reported that whilst the contract with Wyre Council for the post of the IAAM was due to cease on the 31 August 2019, a review of the Internal Audit Service was currently being undertaken by the Corporate Director of Resources, which if approved, would see the continuation of the current arrangements with Wyre Council. 

The Committee asked a number of questions relating to the outsourcing of audit work to Lancashire County Council and the risks in relation to this. The Committee were advised that the risks were minimal. The Committee also asked questions around the current capacity within the audit team and if they were sufficient to deliver the audit plan. The IAAM advised the Committee that this would be kept under review and progress on implementing the plan reported to them on a regular basis

It was proposed by Councillor Malcolm Thomas and seconded by Councillor Oliver Robinson:

“That the recommendation set out in the report be approved.”

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

(1)          That the Internal Audit Strategy and Risk Based Plan for 2019/20 be approved.

(2)          That the Audit Committee approve the appointment of Lancashire County Council Internal Audit Services for the delivery of up to 50 audit days to assist with the delivery of the 2019/20 Audit Plan.

(3)          That the Audit Committee note that a restructure was currently taking place, which would explore the possibility of extending the current arrangements with Wyre Council in relation to the post of the IAAM.

Report of KPMG

The Deputy Section 151 Officer presented the annual report of the certification of claims and returns work undertaken in 2017/18 by KPMG.

It was reported that certification work had been carried out on two claims/returns to give assurance to funding bodies of the accuracy and validity of the Councils returns.

The Pooling of Housing Subsidy Benefit was certified as unqualified without amendment. A qualification had been necessary for the Housing Subsidy Benefit claim. No adjustment had been made for the errors identified.

Resolved:

That the Certification of Claims and Returns Annual Report 2017/18 be accepted.

Report of Deloitte

The Committee received the External Audit Planning Report for the year ending 31^st March 2019 prepared by Deloitte, which outlined how Deloitte would deliver its financial statements audit work for the Authority.

Paul Hewitson, Director at Deloitte LLP, advised the Committee that Deloitte had completed the handover with KPMG, and had been working with officers to develop a plan in collaboration with the Council.

It was reported that the External Auditors had determined a materiality of £2.9million, based on 2% or gross and would report any misstatements above £145,000 to the Committee. Any misstatements below this threshold would be reported if they were considered material by their nature.

Members discussed the materiality and reporting thresholds and agreed that these were appropriate.

Members were advised on the significant risks which the External Audit would focus on during the Audit including the completeness and cut off of service line expenditure, property valuations and management override of controls as well as Value for Money and Risk Management.

Members asked a number of questions in relation to the External Audit Planning Report, the Risk Register and the role of the External Auditors including their relationships with Lancashire County Council and other close by Local Authorities.  

Resolved:

That the External Audit Planning Report for year ending 31^st March 2019 be accepted.

The Section 151 Officer and Paul Hewitson, Director of Deloitte LLP left the room at this point.

Discussions with the Internal Audit and Assurance Manager.

Audit Committee Members were provided with an opportunity to speak to the Internal Audit and Assurance Manager in confidence.