Agenda and minutes

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee - Tuesday, 23rd January, 2018 9.30 am

Venue: Main Committee Room, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton

Contact: Democratic Services Officer  01609 767015

Items
No. Item

AGS.20

Amendment to the Constitution pdf icon PDF 14 KB

Minutes:

The subject of the decision:

 

The Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report seeking consideration of a request to change the Local Code of Conduct for Members and Officers Dealing with Planning Matters, contained within Part 5, Codes and Protocols, of the Council’s Constitution.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

The amendments were necessary in order to bring the Council’s Constitution in-line with current practices.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Council be recommended to amend the Constitution as set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report.

AGS.21

Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 20117 (AGS.13 to AGS.19), previously circulated.

Minutes:

THE DECISION:

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 24 October 2017 (AGS.13 - AGS.19), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

AGS.22

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act - Review of Activity pdf icon PDF 30 KB

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

Minutes:

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.  The report also presented the Council’s current Policy on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act for approval.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.


The reason for the decision:             

 

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

 

THE DECISION:

 

That:-

 

(a)     the current Policy on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act be approved; and

 

(b)     it be noted that no RIPA authorisations were made by the Council during the period 25 October 2017 to 23 January 2018.

AGS.23

Internal Audit Second Progress Report 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Report of the Director of Finance (S151 Officer)

Minutes:

The subject of the decision:

 

The Director of Finance (S151 Officer) presented a report informing Members of progress made to date in delivering the Internal Audit Plan for 2017/18 and any developments likely to have an impact on the plan throughout the remainder of the financial year.

 

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 in the year to date be noted.

AGS.24

Statutory Auditor - Quarterly Update Report pdf icon PDF 733 KB

Report of the Director of Finance (S151 Officer)

Minutes:

The subject of the decision:

 

The Director of Finance (S151 Officer) presented a report which provided an update on the Council’s statutory auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, activities as at 30 November 2017.

 

Members discussed the governance arrangements of the Council’s Joint Venture Company – Central Northallerton Development Company Limited – and recognised that update information would be presented in the Financial Outturn report to Cabinet as well as included in the risk register report to Scrutiny Committee and further requested that an oversight update report be presented to Cabinet or an appropriate Committee for transparency purposes to monitor the company.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

To take account of the work undertaken to date by the Council’s statutory auditor.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That the external auditor’s Local Government Audit Committee briefing be noted.