Minutes for Corporate Governance and Audit Committee meeting, Jun 23 2010, 2.00PM official page

Councillor Driver, the new Chair of the Committee, paid tribute to the previous Chair who retired on 6 May 2010. The Chair stressed the importance that the priorities of the Committee be focussed to the needs of the Council and this should inform the work programme to be discussed later in the meeting.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

1          To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2          To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3          If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

            RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no late items added to the agenda.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) if the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillor Driver declared a personal interest in Agenda item 11 (Minute 148) as a Member of the Aire Valley Homes ALMO.

Councillor Lowe declared a personal interest in Agenda item 11 (Minute 148) as a Director of West North West Homes ALMO.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harrand and  Gordon Tollefson.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2010.

The Chair confirmed that with regards to Minute 135, a letter had been sent to the Leader of the Council voicing the concerns of the Committee on the governance arrangements of the Leeds City Region.

RESOLVED - The minutes of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee meeting held on 12^th May 2010 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) presenting the Committee with its  terms of reference which were approved at the Annual Council Meeting.

The Corporate Governance Officer presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) which presented the Committee with its terms of reference which were approved at the Annual Council Meeting on 27 May 2010.

Members discussed the reasons why references to the Statement on Internal Control had been changed to the Annual Governance Statement.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note its terms of reference for the forthcoming municipal year.

To receive a report of the Director of Resources informing Members on the result of the work KPMG have carried out on the certification of grant claims in respect of 2008/09.

The Principal Finance Manager (Resources) presented a report of the Director of Resources which informed the Committee on the result of work undertaken by KPMG on the certification of grant claims for 2008/09. The report was a new requirement from the Audit Commission, who want to raise the profile of the audit grant work with Members.

A representative from KPMG was also in attendance.

Members questioned how the fees were calculated by KPMG for the work that they do on grants and returns.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the results of the 2008/09 audit of grants and returns.

To receive a report of the Director of Resources informing Members of KPMG’s audit plan for the audit of the Council’s accounts. The attached report from KPMG highlights the risk based approach to the audit and the main risks they have identified for 2009/10.

 The Chief Officer (Financial Management) presented a report of the Director of Resources which informed the Committee of KPMG’s audit plan for the audit of the Council’s Accounts. The attached report from KPMG highlighted the risk based approach to the audit and the main risks  identified for 2009/10.  The report also highlighted the actions undertaken by officers of the Council to mitigate the risks identified.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

·        note the external audit plan in respect of the Council’s accounts and the actions taken by officers to manage risks identified; and

·        receive a further report in September from KPMG on the audit of the accounts, including the opinion on the accounts.

To receive a report of the Director of Resources summarising KPMG’s planning and interim audit work at Leeds City Council in relation to the 2009/10 financial statements and the Use of Resources Assessment.

The Principal Financial Manager (Resources) presented a report of the Director of Resources which summarised KPMG’s planning and interim audit work in respect of the Statement of Accounts for Leeds City Council for 2009/10. .

Members discussed the abolition of the Use of Resources assessment and highlighted that issues, which had been previously raised by this method of assessment, should not be lost.  Members also discussed the need for clarity on the wider audit plan for External Audit to ensure that this addressed the key risks of the Council.

The Chief Officer (Audit and Risk) informed the Committee of the reliance that KPMG place on the good work of Internal Audit when completing their work.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

·        note the findings of the KPMG report along with the officer actions and timeframes for completion; and

·        request a timetable of key dates in relation to the commencement and likely conclusion of KPMG Audits forthcoming year.

To receive a report of the Strategic Landlord informing Members of the outcome of the two ALMO re-inspections in the last 12 months as requested at the 29^th July 2009 meeting.

The Housing Policy and Monitoring Manager presented a report of the Strategic Landlord which informed the Committee of the outcome of the two ALMO re-inspections in the last 12 months.

Members particularly discussed the challenges facing ALMOs and the improvements that could be made to ALMOs specifically by:

• developing an improved strategic approach; and
• improving services relating to sheltered housing.

Also discussed were concerns about the lack of ALMO information available to Members not on the Boards of ALMOs.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

·        note the inspection outcomes and actions being taken to address Inspection recommendations; and

·        receive a further report in September to consider components of the governance assurance framework being introduced by the Strategic Landlord for the ALMOs;

·        to receive an Annual Assurance report from the Strategic Landlord based on the assurances received from the ALMOs

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) notifying and inviting comment from the Committee upon the work programme for the municipal year 2010/11.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report notifying Members of the draft work programme for the 2010/11 municipal year.

RESOLVED - The Committee resolved to note the draft work programme and to consider it in further detail after receipt of the Annual Governance Statement to inform the discussion.