Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2015

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 January 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Vice-Chairman.

The Committee considered the standards work programme for 2015/16.

RESOLVED that the standards work programme for 2015/16 be approved.

To consider report of TIAA.

The Committee considered an Internal Audit progress report from TIAA including details of audits carried out since 5 December 2014 and changes to,  and progress against, ,the Annual Plan 2014/2015.

The Committee’s attention was particularly drawn to the number of joint audits with Chiltern District Council.

In response to a question relating to the management response to the Main Accounting review, the Committee was advised that the reconciliation process would be brought up to date for the end of the financial year.

RESOLVED that the progress against the Internal Audit Plan and findings arising from the Internal Audit Work be noted.

To consider report of TIAA.

The Committee received a report of TIAA setting out an Internal Audit Strategic Plan 2015/16 to 2019/20 and an Annual Internal Plan 2015/16 drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the CIPFA Public Sector Internal Auditing Standards for Internal Audit in Local Government.

The report set out amongst other things the scope of the internal audit strategic plan  priorities for the next five years and a rolling programme of reviews of SBDC and CDC systems of governance, risk management and internal control over the next five years as set out in annex A.

The report indicated that the  total number of audit days were due to decrease from 140 in 2015/16 to 122 in 2019/20 representing a 13% decrease and the Committee received an assurance that mechanisms would be in place to ensure that any savings  are captured and, mindful that some of the audits planned were joint ones with CDC, shared fairly with CDC in accordance with a split to be determined and reviewed as the Plan progressed beyond 2017/18 when the reduction in days became  more pronounced as shown in the table in annex A. The Committee also received an assurance that the reduction in days would not have a detrimental effect on the quality of the audits.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Strategic Plan 2015/16 to 2019/20 together with the Annual Internal Audit Plan 2015/16 be agreed.

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To consider report of Ernst and Young.

The Committee received a report from Ernst Young attaching their Audit Plan which set out how they intended to carry out their responsibilities as the Council’s external auditor in 2014/15.

The Committee’s attention was particularly drawn to Section 7 on Independence and to Appendix A which set out the planned fees for 2014/15.

RESOLVED that the report of Ernst and Young be noted.

The Committee received a report explaining the work of the Single Fraud Investigation Service which came into effect on 1 March 2015 and the implications for the Council.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Committee considered the draft audit work programme for 2015/16.

RESOLVED that the audit work programme for 2015 be approved.