This is a meeting of the HIWFRA Standards and Governance Committee of Hampshire County Council held on the 24th Jul 2023.
The last meeting was on 26th Sep 2024. The next meeting is scheduled for 24th Jul 2025.
Room Z - Fire & Police Shared HQ, Eastleigh
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Item | Title | Minutes |
1 | Apologies for Absence |
Apologies were received from Councillors David Harrison, Karen Lucioni and Hugh Lumby. Councillor Fran Carpenter attended as a deputy for Hugh Lumby. |
2 | Declarations of Interest |
Members were mindful to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, along with any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members wished to disclose.
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3 | Minutes of Previous Meeting |
Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed. |
4 | Deputations |
There were no deputations for the meeting. |
5 | Chairman's Announcements |
The Chairman confirmed that the Principal Officer Pay Review report was due to go to the July Full Authority meeting. |
6 | Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 |
Report
Appendix A The Committee considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 6 in the minute book) regarding the Annual Governance Statement for 2022/23.
Following a summary of the report by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer and questions by Members, the subsequent points were clarified:
· The Director of Operations would provide further information to Members on the strategy with regards to electric and alternative fuel vehicles. · Further information would be found on the follow-up process to whistleblowing and the reporting of errors and faults and provided to Members
Members thanked officers for their work on the report.
RESOLVED b) Members acknowledged that the arrangements continue to be regarded as fit for purpose in accordance with the Framework 2016. c) It was agreed that the approved AGS be included into the Annual Statement of Accounts, to meet the Authority’s statutory requirement.
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7 | External Audit - Auditor's Annual Report 2021/22 and Audit Planning Report 2022/23 |
Report
Appendix 1 Appendix 2 The Committee considered a report from the Chief Financial Officer (item 7 in the minute book) regarding the external auditors annual and audit planning reports.
The report was summarised and it was confirmed that a letter from Minister Rowley regarding the backlog experienced by external auditors had been circulated to Members for information.
The delays were being experienced nationally and it was anticipated that there may be subsequent delays to the 2022/23 audit, but it was positive that the 2021/22 accounts had been signed-off.
RESOLVED
The Auditor’s Annual Report for 2021/22 and the Audit Planning Report for 2022/23 from EY was noted by the HIWFRA Standards and Governance Committee.
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8 | Internal Audit Progress Report |
Report
Appendix A The Committee considered a report from the Chief Internal Auditor (item 8 in the minute book) regarding the progress of internal audit.
The report was summarised and it was
acknowledged that whilst there had been some delays, all actions
were due to be completed imminently.
RESOLVED |
9 | Internal Audit Annual Report & Opinion |
Report
Appendix A The Committee considered a report from the Chief Internal Auditor (item 9 in the minute book), providing the annual report and opinion.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that a risk-based approach was taken looking at significance and risk to the Authority and as such the Authority’s risk register had been used to inform the planning process and ensure that key risks were reflected in planned work.
Members were happy with the report.
RESOLVED |
10 | Internal Audit Management Actions Progress Report |
Report
The Committee considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 10 in the minute book) on the management actions progress report.
The report was summarised and Members were taken through the management actions in section 6 of the report. There were no questions.
RESOLVED |
11 | Fire Pension Board Annual Report |
Report
The Committee received a report from the Chief Financial Officer (item 11 in the minute book), which summarised the work of the Pension Board for the 2022/23 financial year in the exercise of its functions.
Members were given the history of the Board and why it was initially set up and it was confirmed that a briefing session would be provided to Members after the next meeting on the role of Standards and Governance Committees responsibilities as a Pension Scheme Manager.
RESOLVED |
None
Apologies
None
Apologies
25th Jan 2023 Cancelled
HIWFRA Standards and Governance Committee