Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on .26th February 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26^th February 2015, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read, and having been approved as a correct record were signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Calvert and John Dyke.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the agenda for this meeting.  A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct. A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

There were no members of the public present.

The next scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee will be held on Thursday 23^rd April 2015 in the Coker Room Brympton Way.

Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee would be held on Thursday 23^rd April 2015 at 10.00am.

Members were introduced to Mrs Elizabeth Cave, new engagement lead for the audit.   She introduced the Audit Plan 2015/16 and made particular reference to the following points:

·         Financial pressures, responses and challenges going forward ensuring planning arrangements for future risks regarding the financing changes;

·         Diagram showing the Grant Thornton Audit Approach;

·         Significant and other risks identified;

·         Key dates , Year end fieldwork to start 3^rd August 2015

Members were content to note the Audit Plan.

The Audit Manager, SWAP confirmed that the Internal Audit Charter remained exactly the same as approved by Committee in February last year.

Audit Committee members were content to agree to the Charter in advance of the forthcoming financial year.

The Audit Manager, SWAP, presented the report as detailed in the agenda.  He made reference to the Key Control Audits and the necessary liaison with the Assistant Director (Finance & Corporate Services) and Lead officers to ensure effective audit management. 

Members were happy to agree the Internal Audit Plan. 

The Civil Contingencies Manager presented the agenda report and updated members on the major incident regarding an SSDC Building Control Officer.  She told members that she had recently been informed by the Health & Safety Executive that they were to take no further action regarding this incident as they were satisfied with the case. 

The Civil Contingencies Manager also told members that new CDM regulations will come into force shortly and this would positively address issues regarding site safety and in particular the responsibilities of domestic projects and site risk assessment. 

She also made reference to relevant case law as set out in the agenda and in response to members queries informed them:

·         Would seek further information from the H & S Executive regarding the Building Control incident.  Once more information was known she would update members once more.

·         Pleased to report the number of incidents reported was lower than that of last year.

Members were content to note the report.

Reference was made to the agenda report, which informed members of the proposed Audit Committee Forward Plan.