To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2022 (AGS.3 to AGS.6), previously circulated.

The decision:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 July 2022 (AGS.3 to AGS.6), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report advising the Committee that the Council, like many public authorities, was governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).  This Act ensured that public authorities complied with their obligations under the Human Rights Act when undertaking investigations which might interfere with the rights of individuals.  The Act introduced safeguards on activities such as surveillance undertaken by public bodies.  The Committee had now been given responsibility for RIPA matters.  This would involve the Committee reviewing the Council’s Policy Statement from time to time and receiving quarterly reports on any activities which had been authorised under RIPA.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:             

To comply with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

The decision:

That it be noted that no RIPA authorisations were made by the Council during the period 26 March 2022 to 27 September 2022.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive (s151 Officer) presented a report following a review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To fulfil the Audit Commission’s good practice requirement to the annual review and incorporate the audit terms of reference suggested by CIPFA.

The decision:

That the Committee approves and recommends to Council that:

(1)     the annual review of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee’s terms of reference be noted; and

(2)     the terms of reference for the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee as set out in Annex A of the report be approved.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive (s151 Officer) presented a report which provided the Committee with an annual review of the Council’s risk management process.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Committee’s Terms of Reference as detailed within the Constitution.

The decision:

That the Committee note the Corporate Risks and the Service Risks with a net risk threshold of 12 or above attached at Annex A and B of the report respectively.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive (S151 Officer) presented a report informing Members of progress made on audit work planned and undertaken and counter fraud activity since the last report to the Committee.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of the statutory requirement under the Accounts and Audit Regulations.

The decision:

That the work undertaken by Internal Audit and the Counter Fraud Team in the year to date be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive presented a report on the Draft Council’s Finance Report (Statement of Accounts) 2019/20 and provided an update on the latest position on the Financial Report 2019/20 and the audit of this.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 as well as the Code of Audit Practice issued by the National Audit Office in 2020.

The decision:

That:-

(1)       the draft Statement of Accounts for 2019/20 as detailed within Annex A of the report be noted; and

(2)       it be noted that there was no set date when the audit for 2019/20 would be completed due to the awaited Ernst & Young working group decision in respect of the consultation on CIPFA LASAAC infrastructure assets reporting.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive presented the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21.  Due to a number of factors, the hand over between the departing and incoming s151 Officers and the fact that the audit had not yet commenced, this had not been presented to the Committee last year as a stand alone item.  For completeness this was now presented to the Committee.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with Regulation 4(2) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations which requires authorities to conduct a review at least once a year of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and to prepare a statement on internal control in accordance with proper practices.

The decision:

That the Committee:-

(1)       agree with the conclusion of the review of the system of internal control; and

(2)       approve the content of the Annual Governance Statement attached at Annex A of the report, which is published within the Annual Finance Report – Statement of Accounts 2020/21.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive presented a report on the Draft Council’s Finance Report (Statement of Accounts) 2020/21 and provided an update on the latest position on the Financial Report 2020/21 and the audit of this.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 as well as the Code of Audit Practice issued by the National Audit Office in 2020.

The decision:

That:-

(1)       the draft Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 as detailed within Annex A of the report be noted;

(2)       it be noted that the audit is due to commence in September 2022; and

(3)       Hambleton District Council met the amended legislation to publish the draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 on or before 31 July 2021 as stated in paragraph 1.4 of the report.

Report of the Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive presented the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with Regulation 4(2) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations which requires authorities to conduct a review at least once a year of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and to prepare a statement on internal control in accordance with proper practices.

The decision:

That the Committee:-

(1)       agree with the conclusion of the review of the system of internal control; and

(2)       approve the content of the Annual Governance Statement attached at Annex A of the report, which is published within the Annual Finance Report – Statement of Accounts 2021/22.

Report of the Chief Executive (S151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive presented a report on the Draft Council’s Finance Report (Statement of Accounts) 2021/22 and provided an update on the latest position on the Financial Report 2021/22 and the audit of this.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 as well as the Code of Audit Practice issued by the National Audit Office in 2020.

The decision:

That:-

(1)       the draft Statement of Accounts for 2021/22 as detailed within Annex A of the report be noted;

(2)       it be noted that the audit is due to commence in early 2023; and

(3)       Hambleton District Council met the amended legislation to publish the draft Statement of Accounts 2021/22 on or before 31 July 2022 as stated in paragraph 1.4 of the report.