Audit Committee
1 June 2006
Read the Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2006
Present:
Councillors Isherwood, Lyons, Priest, Ramsbottom and Trotman
AS/06/1 Chair
Decision
To appoint Councillor Priest as Chair of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year.
Councillor Priest - In the Chair.
AS/06/2 Dates of Meetings
Decision
1. To note that in order to match meetings with key dates for the presentation of information to the Audit Commission, meetings of the Committee will be held on 29 June and 29 September 2006.
2. To review the dates of meetings in January and March 2007 to avoid conflicts with the Planning and Highways Committee.
AS/06/3 Role of the Audit Committee
The Head of Internal Audit gave a presentation to the Committee on the role of the Audit Committee, CIPFA guidance and the terms of reference and respective roles of internal and external audit. Particular attention was drawn to the reduction in the time window in which accounts are prepared from 6 to 3 months.
The Committee noted the requirement to approve the Council's final accounts on 29 June 2006, and to assist their consideration of this item officers undertook to provide members with the report at least 7 days prior to the meeting and that officers would be available to deal with points of detail or requests for additional information identified by members prior to the meeting.
Decision
To note the report.
AS/06/4 Structure of the Council Final Accounts
The Committee noted that at its meeting on 29 June 2006, it would be required to approve the Council's Final Accounts for 2005/2006 in order to meet the Audit Commission deadline to achieve this by 30 June. To assist the Committee's preparation the Head of Financial Management made a presentation to the Committee that demonstrated the principles upon which the Council's accounts were constructed.
Decision
To thank the Head of Financial Management for his detailed presentation.
AS/06/5 Audit Commission Audit Plan 2006/2007
The Audit Plan for 2006/07 was submitted and the District Auditor's representative attended and responded to questions raised by Members.
Decision
1. To note the Commission's Audit Plan for 2006/2007.
2. To refer Tables 2 and 3 of the report for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Group to ensure that all the issues are embraced within current scrutiny work programmes.
AS/06/6 Annual Review of Internal Control
A report of the City Treasurer was submitted on the findings of the annual review of internal control undertaken in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006.
Decision
1. To note the findings of the review and the actions proposed to further develop or strengthen elements of the control environment during 2006/07.
2. To refer the report for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Group to ensure that all the issues are embraced within current scrutiny work programmes.
3. To request a report for a future meeting of this Committee in relation to the potential claw-back of ERDF resources totalling £2.7 million due to the failure to properly observe procurement rules
[Councillor Trotman declared a personal interest as a member of the Management Board of Northwards Housing. Councillor Lyons declared a personal interest as a member of North Manchester PCT.]
