Eastleigh Borough Council Audit and Resources Committee Meeting

Councillor Tidridge declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the exempt item. 

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

The Corporate Health and Safety Officer introduced the interim report providing incident data for the first six months of 2023/24 and clarified that the full report for the year will be submitted in June along with the Action Plan.

A discussion took place with regards to incident figures halving over the past year. Training has proven to be effective in reducing these numbers.  

RESOLVED –

That Audit and Resources Committee considered the Incident Data for the first six months of 2023/24.

The Service Director for Governance and Support introduced the report and highlighted the updates that have been made to the policy. The UK’s leading Whistleblowing Charity, Protect, have contacted all Councils to offer the chance to use their whistleblowing scanner. This is a free tool to assess effectiveness of whistleblowing arrangements. The self-assessment will be completed and a further update will be provided.

RESOLVED –

That Audit and Resources Committee considered and noted the review of the Whistleblowing Policy.

The Service Director for Governance and Support introduced the report.

A discussion took place with regards to current resourcing and the Audit Plan.

RESOLVED –

That Audit and Resources Committee considered the Internal Audit Monitoring Statement for the third quarter of 2023/24.

Councillors Holes and Tidridge introduced the report and congratulated the two successful candidates on their appointment.

RESOLVED –

That Audit and Resources Committee:

(1)  considered the recommended Independent Co-Opted Members; and

(2)  recommended the appointment to Council.

(a)  Strategic Risk Management Group (SRMG)

Councillor Holes reported that no meeting had taken place since the last Audit and Resources Committee.

(b)  Procurement Executive Group (PEG)

Councillors Holes and Pretty provided the following update to the Committee:

25 January 2024

“This was a special meeting to discuss the procurement for the One Horton Heath project. The preferred option was the Housing Development Framework which was prepared by Homes England.

A long discussion took place about insurances, and this will be discussed further at a meeting in the summer. The One Horton Heath Team were clear and concise and the methods they proposed were sensible.” 

6 February 2024

“The group reviewed the Procurement Action Plan, performance indicators and waivers and noted the content of the papers.

A verbal update was provided on the Procurement Policy. Further consultation has now been completed. Response to the consultation was low however it was agreed that an officer working group would reflect on the emerging Procurement Policy. Following this if deemed necessary it was agreed that it would be presented to PEG in June with a view to seeking Cabinet approval in July.

The next meeting is 25 June 24.”

(c)  Housing Group

Councillor Irish gave the following update to the Committee:

“Financial performance of the programme continues to be strong with net rent above budget and voids and repairs costs continuing to remain lower than anticipated. Level of rent arrears has stabilised but continues to be a problem with the cost-of-living-crisis and recession. Work on projects is progressing well despite the markets and the Council are looking to submit the next round of grant bids with strong support from DLUHC.”

The Committee considered the current Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

It was AGREED -

That the current Forward Plan be noted.

The Committee considered its current Work Programme.

Corporate Risk Management Annual Report will be moved to June’s meeting and the Procurement Policy will be discussed at July’s meeting.

An update from External Audit will be added to the agenda for March’s meeting.

Councillor Tidridge asked if the Committee could have regular updates on One Horton Heath’s finances. The Deputy Chief Executive agreed to meet with the Chairs of Policy and Performance and Audit and Resources to add the relevant items into the Work Programmes.

It was AGREED -

That the Work Programme be noted.

The Chief Accountant introduced the report and outlined it’s purpose.

A discussion took place with regards to the Best Value Notice and the changes that have been made.  

RESOLVED –

That the Audit and Resources Committee noted the Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategies.

RESOLVED -

(1)  That, in pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(2)  That, in pursuance of the public interest test, the public interest in disclosing the information contained in the following item of business was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining the exemption.