Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Barbara McGarrity QN and Ian Cotterill, Audit Business Partner.

There were no declarations of interest.

[For approval]

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 June 2020 be approved as a correct record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

[To receive an update on the new and emerging risks the Council faces as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic].

Hayley Reid, Regulatory Governance Manager, presented an update on the Covid-19 Risk Register.

The Committee were advised that since the Covid-19 Risk Register was last

presented in June 2020, a further risk titled ‘Rising Unemployment’ had been added to the Register.

In response to concerns raised, David Pattison, Director of Governance, assured Members that throughout the pandemic the Council had endeavoured to look after the most vulnerable members of society and continued to do so. He assured the Committee there was regular communication with care service providers and agreed to provide Members with a further update on this.

Following concerns raised, Peter Farrow, Head of Audit, informed Members of the work being done to identify fraudulent business claims. He stated that a lot of work had already been done pre-payment and a lot more was planned for the remainder of the year, post payment. Following the discussion, it was agreed that Mark Wilkes, Audit Business Partner, would provide a summary of returns at future meetings.

In response to concerns raised regarding care provisions for survivors of Covid-19 following their release from hospital, David Pattison, Director of Governance, agreed to liaise with the relevant officers to investigate the issues raised. He further agreed to liaise with the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Panel, and the Director of Public Health, to ensure any similar issues would be picked up through existing Council processes.   

Resolved:

1. That the Council’s Covid-19 risk register which detailed the risks faced by the Council as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, as at Appendix 1 be noted.
2. That it be agreed that David Pattison, Director of Governance would update the Committee on the situation with care service providers.
3. That it be agreed that Mark Wilkes, Audit Business Partner, would provide a summary of business grant returns to future meetings.
4. That it be agreed that David Pattison, Director of Governance would liaise with the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Panel, the Director of Public Health and relevant officers, regarding home care provisions for survivors of Covid-19.     

[To receive the draft statement of accounts for 2019-2020].

Clare Nye, Director of Finance, presented the Council’s approved draft Statement of Accounts for 2020-2021, which were subject to audit.

The key points were explained, and training sessions would be provided giving Members the opportunity to ask further questions and familiarise themselves with the accounts before signing off the final set later in the year. Members were encouraged to read the draft statements and consider the impact of Coivd-19 where applicable.

Resolved:

1. That it be noted that the Director of Finance approved the Draft Statement of Accounts 2019-2020 on 22 June 2020, in accordance with the revised deadline of 31 August 2020.
2. That it be noted that the 2019-2020 Draft Statement of Accounts was currently being audited by Grant Thornton UK LLP and was expected to continue through to the end of August 2020. Any material changes required as a result of the audit were expected to be reported to the Audit and Risk Committee in September 2020. However, these dates could change due to the unprecedented situation related to COVID-19.
3. That it be noted that formal approval by the Council and publication of the 2019-2020 Statement of Accounts was required by 30 November 2020.
4. That it be noted that the Statement of Accounts incorporates a copy of the Annual Governance Statement as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.
5. That the Grant Thornton in-depth insight into the impact of Covid-19 on financial reporting in the local government sector be noted.