Internal Audit reports (standing item) (00:35:36)
Committee to discuss any issues arising from any Audit reports they have received since the last meeting. During discussion of this item it may be necessary to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 12 12.02(d) (a presumption in favour of openness) of the Constitution. This decision may be required because consideration of this matter in public may disclose information falling within one of the descriptions of exempt information in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The Committee will need to decide whether, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption, outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT – EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RECOMMENDED that under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in section 100l and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
(Please note: This is a standing item which may not be needed should discussion have taken place regarding internal audit reports under another item on the agenda)
Minutes:
The Committee had before it a report * from the Internal Audit Team Leader.
Discussion regarding internal audit reports took place under each service area heading:
Council Tax/NNDR & Recovery
· ‘Proof of posting’ needed to be addressed in order to ensure that the Council could easily prove bills had been posted if challenged.
· Evidence of correspondence and follow up letters needed tightening up.
Treasury Management
The Council had received back almost all of the money invested with the Icelandic Heritable Bank but it would be approximately 12 to 18 months before it would be known whether there would be a final dividend. The worst case scenario would be that the Council would have £20k outstanding.
Income and Cash Collection
The Chairman stated that with regard to audit recommendations in general he found it unacceptable that some dating as far back as 2011 and 2012 were still outstanding, however, he had been reassured that these would be dealt with imminently.
Note: (i) * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.