Decisions

(a)  That the updated 2024/25 Workplan as at October 2024 be approved.

(Reason for Decision – To meet the Constitutional requirements for the Scrutiny Management Board to demonstrate its strategic responsibility for the Scrutiny function, its overall responsibility for the direction and management of Scrutiny, and to fulfil its obligation to develop, approve and monitor the Annual Scrutiny Workplan.

(Alternative Options Considered – Not to update the Scrutiny Workplan - however this would not demonstrate the Board’s strategic responsibility or provide the necessary strategic direction to the three Scrutiny Committees.)

(a)  That the Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix A) be agreed and adopted;

(b)  That a further update be received at six months showing a matrix of compliance to provide assurance to the committee that there is organisational awareness of the document.

Reason for Decisions – The Code of Corporate Governance should

be reviewed on a regular basis. The Code has not been formally updated

since 2021 and it is intended that following this review it will be reviewed

annually and presented to Council on the recommendation of the Audit and

Governance committee.

Alternative Options Considered – To not undertake the review as an option,

this was rejected as best practice recommends regular review.

(a)  That the Internal Audit progress report attached as Appendix 1 and the main issues arising be noted;

Reason for Decision – For the committee to exercise its duties and responsibilities within its terms of reference for receiving reports from the Internal Audit service and considering the main issues arising.

(a)  That the proposed approach to development of the Internal Audit plan for 2025/26 be noted.

(b)  That a workshop be held as part of the assurance process for the development of the plan in advance of the 2025/26 year.

Reason for Decisions - To support and inform the development of the Internal Audit plan for 2025/26, in line with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

(a)  That the risk management update be noted;

Reason for Decision – For the Committee to exercise its duties and responsibilities within its Terms of Reference and provide independent assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework and the associated control environment.

(a)  That the the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy be approved; and

(b)  That the Anti-Bribery Policy be approved;

Reason for Decisions – For the committee to exercise its duties under section 5.2 of its terms of reference in monitoring and approving anti-fraud and corruption policies.

(a)  That the Annual Report be approved for presentation to Council;

Reason for Decision – To comply with the Committee’s terms of reference and best practice guidance on effective audit committees.

(a)  That the draft Audit Findings Report for the financial year 2021/22 (Appendix A) and draft Disclaimer opinion (Appendix B) be received;

(b)  That the draft Audit Findings Report for the financial year 2022/23 (Appendix C) and draft Disclaimer opinion (Appendix D) be received.

Reason for Decisions – To comply with Statutory Requirements

relating to Local Government Financial Statements.

(a)  That the draft Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2021/22 (Appendix A) and Letter of Representation (Appendix C) be approved;

(b)  That the draft Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2022/23 (Appendix B) and draft Letter of Representation (Appendix D) be approved;

(c)  That any non-material adjustments required to the draft Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2021/22 and 2022/23 are delegated to the Council’s Executive Director of Finance and Performance (s151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee;

(d)  That the position for the 2023/24 Statement of Accounts be noted.

Reason for Decisions – To comply with Statutory Requirements relating to Local Government Financial Statements.

There being no further business the chair closed the meeting at 7.55pm.

                                                                        Chair…………………………….

                                                                        Date……………………………..

Resolved that the democracy and standards committee:

(i)            Notes the process undertaken for the nominations and selections of co-opted town and parish representatives to the committee and candidates proposed for appointment;

(ii)          Recommends to full-council the appointment of three candidates namely Beth Ring, Weekly Parish Council, Paul Davis, Oundle Town Council and Keith Gautrey-Prue, Deane and Deanethorpe Parish Council for a term of office until May 2025 with the provision to extend to May 2029, provided eligibility criteria is met.