Agenda and minutes

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 17^th July 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

The Business Improvement Manager presented the Corporate Risk Management Report.

Members asked questions and responses were provided as follows:

-       Cllr Brockie asked about the arson/fire risks at the Sky Building and how these could be mitigated. – Contact was currently sought with the owner of the building to ensure adjacent properties would be protected, would there be any issues. A security person was guarding the building.

-       Cllr Whieldon expressed concerns about the Council getting too involved in the mitigation of risks pertaining to the Sky building which could lead to responsibility in case something happened. – The Chair clarified that the Council was simply monitoring the situation.

The Chair requested that more information be provided on the risks relating to the Sky Building at the next meeting of the committee.

Resolved:     1. That there were currently 14 risks that were more than 6 months overdue for a review up to end of Q1 2023/24, be noted.

2. That there had been 5 risk level increases be noted.

3. That there had been no movement on the Corporate Risk Register be noted.

4. That officers be advised of any individual risk profiles that the Committee would like to scrutinise in more details at its next meeting.

5. That whilst the likelihood of a risk materialising may be mitigated, the likely impacts may not change, be noted.

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The Internal Auditor presented the Internal Audit Update for 2023-24 Quarter 1 including the implementation of recommendations issues in June.

Resolved:     That the report be considered.

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The External Auditor presented the Final Accounts and Audit Findings Report for the financial year 2022/23.

It was noted that the audit was not quite complete yet with outstanding information awaited with regard to the pension fund. The accounts were otherwise satisfying and there had been no adjustment required to the draft financial statement numbers. An unmodified audit opinion was to be expected.

The Deputy Leader wished to thank the Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) and her team for their work resulting in a superb audit. The Chair supported the statement adding that other councils were for some of them two years behind which made the work of the team even more remarkable.

Resolved:     1. That the final accounts for the financial year 2022/23 be received and that delegated authority be given to the Service Director for Finance and the Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee to sign off the Statement of Accounts once the Staffordshire Pension Fund Audit has been completed.

2. That the audit findings report for the financial year 2022/23 be received.

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The Chair informed members that there may be a need to move either the November or February meeting depending on when the value for money report would be received.

Resolved:     That the work programme be noted.

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There was no urgent business.