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Hart Borough Council
Councillors: 33
Wards: 11
Committees: 14
Meetings (2025): 60
Meetings (2024): 60

Meeting

Audit Committee - Hart

Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 24th October 2023
7:00 PM
End:
Tuesday, 24th October 2023
11:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Tuesday, 24th October 2023
7:00 PM
Finished:
Tuesday, 24th October 2023
11:34 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
24 Oct 2023
Location:
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Katie Davies photo
Committee Member
Katie Davies

Community Campaign Hart

Present, as expected

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Jon Hale photo
Committee Member
Jon Hale

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Ben Thomas photo
Committee Member
Ben Thomas

Community Campaign Hart

Present, as expected

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Chris Axam photo
Chairman
Chris Axam

Community Campaign Hart

Present, as expected

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Tim Southern photo
Committee Member
Tim Southern

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Officer
Chief Executive
Daryl Phillips

Expected

Officer
Executive Director, Corporate Services & S151 Officer
Graeme Clark

In attendance

Officer
Committee and Member Services Officer
Emma Evans

Democratic Services

In attendance

Public
Audit
Kevin Suter

Ernst & Young

In attendance, virtual

Public
Neil Pitman

Southern Internal Audit Partnership

In attendance, virtual

Agenda
1 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2023 are attached for confirmation and signature as a current record.
Attachments:
Minutes The minutes of 25 July 2023 were agreed and confirmed and signed as a correct record.
2 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.
Minutes No apologies received. Cllr Engström joined the meeting virtually.
3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other, interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.
Minutes No declarations made.
4 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Minutes No announcements.
5 EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22
The purpose of the auditor’s annual report is to bring together all of the auditor’s work over the year.

RECOMMENDATION

To receive the External Auditor’s Annual Report 2021/22.
Attachments:
Minutes Mr Suter from Ernst and Young presented members with the final Audit Results report for the year ending 31 March 2022.

Members queried the valuation of property, plant and equipment conclusion. Mr Suter explained that incorrect income figures led to several assets being misstated. These have now been corrected.

Members queried the training of Councillors finding, it was noted that this finding pre-dates this Committee’s current membership but training also assists Members to fully understand the roles and functions of the Committee to enable it to achieve its objectives.

The report of the External Auditors was noted.
6 INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT QTR 2, 2023-24
To review and note the report on the work undertaken by Internal Audit at each of their meetings.
Minutes The Committee received a report from Southern Internal Audit Partnership on the work undertaken at each of their meetings. The report covers the second quarter of 2023-2024. Mr Pitman highlighted strong progress made since the report was submitted and expressed confidence in their ability to complete the work on time.

Members queried progress in relation to IT controls, procurement and planning and performance, highlighting the importance of these areas of work. It was explained that these audits were undertaken by the previous auditors and were incomplete. Work is being undertaken to evidence the implementation of the recommendations in relation to planning and performance to a level that provides assurance to the Auditor. The Auditor has agreed to finish IT Controls and Procurement in quarter 3.

The issue of planning performance generally was raised, it was stated that this should and is being reported though Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The importance of the Committee remaining within remit was emphasised.

DECISION

The Committee noted the report.
7 CONSULTATION ON 2023/24 SCALE OF AUDIT FEES
To review the Consultation on 2023/24 Scale of Audit Fees.
Minutes The Committee reviewed the Consultation on 2023/24 Scale of Audit Fees.

Mr Clark explained the background to the consultation and the main areas included in the response he submitted. This included the impact of a 151% increase in costs, further hidden costs deriving from additional audit requirement beyond our control.

Members discussed:

·         the scale of the issues within the Audit field

·         the level of audit scrutiny

·         the tender process

·         the complex network of auditing bodies and differing requirements

·         potential use of internal resource for valuations.
8 AUDIT COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME 2023/2024
To consider the Audit Committee Work Programme.
Attachments:
Minutes The Committee considered the Audit Committee Work Programme.  Mr Clark emphasised that additional work can be added to the programme by the Committee.
Previous Meetings
Meeting

25th Mar 2025

Audit Committee

Meeting

1st Oct 2024

Audit Committee

Meeting

23rd Jul 2024

Audit Committee

Meeting

26th Mar 2024

Audit Committee

Meeting

24th Oct 2023

Audit Committee

Meeting

25th Jul 2023

Audit Committee

Meeting

23rd May 2023 Cancelled

Audit Committee

Meeting

28th Mar 2023

Audit Committee

Meeting

25th Oct 2022

Audit Committee

Meeting

26th Jul 2022

Audit Committee

Future Meetings
Meeting

22nd Jul 2025

Audit Committee

Meeting

7th Oct 2025

Audit Committee

Meeting

24th Mar 2026

Audit Committee

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