Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February, 2024 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 12 February, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance outlining the Annual Review of the Constitution.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer detailing the Annual Review of the Constitution. 

RESOLVED: To recommend the changes to the Constitution to Council for adoption including the creation of a new Audit Committee with or without independent, non-voting members.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Enabling Services detailing changes to discretionary severance and pensions payment policy. 

RESOLVED:  To approve revisions to the Severance and Pensions Payments: Discretionary Powers Policy, including the Council adoption statutory redundancy payment levels for Compulsory Redundancy and Voluntary Redundancy. 

The Committee received and noted the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits 2022/23 to 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Indicators for 2024/25 to 2027/28, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  To note the Executive Director for Enabling Services would report any amendments and in year revisions to the Treasury Management Strategy as part of the quarterly financial and performance monitoring; and

(iii)  To endorse the proposal to continue to explore an alternative Treasury Strategy to generate additional income that can support local services, whilst maintaining a prudent approach. 

Report of the Director of Finance with details of the recent internal audit report and progress on service options.

The Committee received and noted the report from the Interim Director of Finance detailing the Appointeeships Progress and Update Report. 

RESOLVED: to note:

(i)  The service improvements and reduced likely risk exposure following the recent audit;

(ii)  The intention to review financial thresholds at which clients are referred to Hampshire County Council for deputyship;

(iii)  The plans to introduce charging and invest in a case management system, with consequent positive impact on capacity and quality of service; and

(iv)  That a follow up audit is not expected until further progress has been made. 

Report of the Executive Director Residential Services providing a progress report on the Housing Voids.

The Committee received and noted the report from Councillor Frampton, Cabinet Member for Housing detailing Housing Voids update. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  To note the progress being made to improve housing Void performance and require a further report on progress in July 2024; and

(ii)  To accept and endorse the Voids Action Plan. 

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor seeking approval of the Annual Internal Audit Plan 2024-25.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the Annual Internal Audit Plan 2024-25, Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Charter and Code of Ethics 2024-25. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the provisional Annual Internal Audit Plan for 2024-25; and

(ii)  To note the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Charter and Conter Fraud Charter and Code of Ethics detailed in the report.

Report of the External Auditor detailing the External Audit Plan 2023/24.

The Committee received and noted the report of the External Auditor detailing the 2023/24 Audit Planning Report. 

RESOLVED: to note the 2023/24 Audit Planning Report.