Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Mr P Butters (Keele University).

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting(s).

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November, 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report regarding Corporate Risk Management for the period October to December, 2015.

One new risk had been identified – malicious software incursion.  The Council’s Business Improvement Manager advised Members that a number of controls were in place which included staff awareness training, software for officer usage monitoring and undertaking penetration testing.

Members queried the risk of ‘potential claims growth’ and why it was still a high risk.  The Council’s Business Improvement Manager would look into this and report back.

In addition, the risk on ‘Members not adhering to officers’ advice’ was queried, again why it remained a high risk.  This was due to a couple of occurrence’s during the last year which had triggered the matrix.  The risk should drop out next year.

Resolved:              (i)        That the Committee note the progress made in

managing the risks identified within the Strategic, Operational, Project and Partnership Risk Registers.

                              (ii)      That the Committee note that there are no overdue

risks.

(iii)      That the Committee note that there are no risk level increases.

(iv)     That the Committee note the new risk that has been identified between October to December, 2015.

(v)      That information be provided to the Committee in respect of ‘potential claims growth’ and why it was a high risk.

Consideration was given to a report in respect of the Internal Audit Plan 2016/17 seeking approval as to its contents.  In addition, Members were asked to agree the reporting arrangement for performance arrangements against the 2016/17 proposed plan.

Resolved:               (i)       That the Internal Audit Plan for 2016/17 be

approved.

(ii)      That the continuation of the reporting arrangements, as set out in the report, be approved.         

Consideration was given to a report requesting approval of the Internal Audit Charter 2016/17 which was attached to the agenda report.

Resolved:    (i)       That the Internal Audit Charter for 2016/17 be approved.

                    (ii)      That the Internal Audit Charter be reviewed and updated

annually to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS)  

Consideration was given to a report  in respect of the reporting of any outstanding high risk recommendations to this Committee on a quarterly basis an Members’ approval to requested actions on recommendations and target dates.

Resolved:              That the actions of officers and the level of assurance be

noted.

Consideration was given to a report on work undertaken by the Internal Audit section during the period 1 October to 31 December. 2015.  The role of Internal Audit being to ensure that the Council has assurance that controls are in place and operating effectively.

Members discussed the report and thanked the officers for all of the reports submitted to this meeting.

Resolved:    That the information be received.  

There was no Urgent Business.