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, 26th July 2022
7:00 PM
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
7:00 PM
End:
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
11:00 PM
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
11:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
7:00 PM
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
7:00 PM
Finished:
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
1:17 AM
Tuesday, 26th July 2022
1:17 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
26 Jul 2022
26 Jul 2022
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Officer
Chief Executive
Daryl Phillips
In attendance
Officer
Committee Services and Members Officer
Rebecca Borrett
Democratic Services
In attendance
Officer
Section 151 Officer
Isabel Brittain
In attendance
Officer
Internal Auditor
David Harwood
In attendance
Officer
Finance & Property Manager
Joanne Rayne
In attendance
Agenda
1
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2022 are attached to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes 24/05/2022 Audit Committee 18 Jul 2022
Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2022 were 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.
*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.
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.
*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
LOCAL CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 2022
To seek approve to a revised local code of corporate governance.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Audit Committee review and approve the local code of corporate governance attached at Appendix 1.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Audit Committee review and approve the local code of corporate governance attached at Appendix 1.
Attachments:
- Document 22 07 26 Local Code of Corporate Governance 18 Jul 2022
- Document 22 07 26 Appendix 1 - Local Code of Corporate Governance 2022 18 Jul 2022
Minutes
Officers presented a revised local code of corporate governance and explained more narrative that had been provided, the seven principals contained within, and the relevant policies and procedures the Council have in place.
DECISION
The Committee accepted the local code of corporate governance.
DECISION
The Committee accepted the local code of corporate governance.
6
DRAFT ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2021/22
To seek approve to the draft annual governance statement 2021/22.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Audit Committee review and approve the draft annual governance statement 2021/22 attached at Appendix A.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Audit Committee review and approve the draft annual governance statement 2021/22 attached at Appendix A.
Attachments:
- Document 22 07 26 Draft Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 18 Jul 2022
- Document 22 07 26 Appendix A - Draft Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 18 Jul 2022
Minutes
Officers presented the draft annual governance statement 2021/22 and drew members attention to a number of Items contained within the report relating to controls, terms of reference and the summary of actions.
DECISION
The Committee accepted the draft annual governance statement 2021/22.
DECISION
The Committee accepted the draft annual governance statement 2021/22.
7
INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER
To seek approve to a revised internal audit charter.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Audit Committee review and approve the internal audit charter attached at Appendix 1.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Audit Committee review and approve the internal audit charter attached at Appendix 1.
Attachments:
- Document 22 07 26 Internal Audit Charter 18 Jul 2022
- Document 22 07 26 Appendix A - Internal Audit Charter 18 Jul 2022
Minutes
Officers sought approval to a revised internal audit charter. The Council will have a fully outsourced audit function from April 2023.
Members discussed
moving to one provider as opposed to two current providers how the two current organisations are split, and work reviewed by internal audit manager concern the internal audit manager would not be employed directly and if the appointment requires someone to be resident on site in the future the specification could be discussed individually with any members as required the standards required being national standards and evidence of achievement via an independent external audit every five years the potential to take this to Overview & Scrutiny for the specification of the governance procedure, the KPI’s etc to examine the specification as business function implications for current structure and staffing against employing a permanent member of staff the concerns and benefits regarding the function being outsourced
DECISION
The Committee reviewed and approved the internal audit charter.
Members discussed
moving to one provider as opposed to two current providers how the two current organisations are split, and work reviewed by internal audit manager concern the internal audit manager would not be employed directly and if the appointment requires someone to be resident on site in the future the specification could be discussed individually with any members as required the standards required being national standards and evidence of achievement via an independent external audit every five years the potential to take this to Overview & Scrutiny for the specification of the governance procedure, the KPI’s etc to examine the specification as business function implications for current structure and staffing against employing a permanent member of staff the concerns and benefits regarding the function being outsourced
DECISION
The Committee reviewed and approved the internal audit charter.
8
INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT Q1 2022/23
The Committee receive a report on the work undertaken by Internal Audit at each of their meetings. The last report was submitted to the Committee in respect of the period ending May 2022. This report covers the month of June 2022.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Committee review and note the report.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Committee review and note the report.
Attachments:
- Document 20220718082508_000143_0000258_20220726 18 Jul 2022
Minutes
The Committee were presented with an updated report on the work undertaken by Internal Audit covering the month of June 2022, together with the position of the audits currently being undertaken.
Members discussed
· The recommendations for Items 1-3. Officers confirmed this would be available for the October committee
· Cyber security guidance to service managers and system administrators
· The reliance on software suppliers to manage firewalls
· The award of a government grant to address cyber security
· The auto deletion of emails after 12 months against the need to follow GDPR. Officers confirmed retention periods are currently being reviewed
· Need for clarity of any SLA in place with software providers and bought services. It was agreed the Audit Manager would speak to the IT Manager regarding expertise Councillor Butcher could provide on this subject
DECISION
The Committee noted the report
Members discussed
· The recommendations for Items 1-3. Officers confirmed this would be available for the October committee
· Cyber security guidance to service managers and system administrators
· The reliance on software suppliers to manage firewalls
· The award of a government grant to address cyber security
· The auto deletion of emails after 12 months against the need to follow GDPR. Officers confirmed retention periods are currently being reviewed
· Need for clarity of any SLA in place with software providers and bought services. It was agreed the Audit Manager would speak to the IT Manager regarding expertise Councillor Butcher could provide on this subject
DECISION
The Committee noted the report
9
EXCLUSION TO THE PUBLIC
The following item(s) contain exempt information.
RECOMMENDATION
Members must decide whether the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
It is suggested that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RECOMMENDATION
Members must decide whether the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
It is suggested that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Minutes
The following item contained exempt information.
DECISION
Members decided that the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
In accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to, on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
DECISION
Members decided that the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
In accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to, on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
10
SHAPLEY HEATH GARDEN COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW AUDIT
To receive the independent tiaa review of the Shapley Heath Garden Community Project and to agree the Management response contained therein.
RECOMMENDATION
To receive the report and make recommendations thereon.
RECOMMENDATION
To receive the report and make recommendations thereon.
Attachments:
- Document CONFIDENTIAL Hart District Council-ADV-Shapley Heath Garden Community Project 18 Jul 2022
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