Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

The Audit Manager introduced the report. The Committee discussed the ongoing decarbonisation work, procurement, the work on energy rebate highlighted in table 2.2, Ukrainian support, and the ongoing review of admin permissions.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

To review and recommend Council adoption of the Plan in conjunction with the budget proposals.

The Chief Financial Officer introduced the report. The Committee noted that the report would be added to the Full council appendices for February and would go onto the work program. The Committee also discussed the work that had gone into the annual budget and the funding of services.

Resolved

That the Financial Plan 2023-2028 be forwarded onto Full Council.  

The Audit Manager introduced the report. The Committee discussed regular monitoring meetings that would take place, such as with the housing team. They also discussed the Modern25 program, Ukrainian safeguarding, and the Ignite training.

Resolved that the report be noted and forwarded to the Executive.

The Audit Manager introduced the report. The Committee discussed the whistleblowing policy, staffing impact, the investigation process, protections for the whistle-blower, audit training for the 2023 members’ induction, and the anonymous submission form on website.

Resolved

That the Anti Fraud and Whistleblowing policy be recommended to Full Council for approval.

The Performance Data Analyst introduced the report. The Committee discussed forwarding the report to Executive for wider viewing and to promote risk management, the various risks including management of the upcoming election, challenging risk levels, the monthly risk report sent to the Strategic Leadership Team, mitigated vs unmitigated risks, the new strata governance review and the barrister involved.

Resolved

That the report be noted and sent to Executive for discussion.

The Committee discussed the revisions to the constitution that had been proposed by the Monitoring Officer. They noted that the aim of the constitution was to provide an operating manual for the Council.

It was agreed that the revisions would be forwarded onto the Procedures Committee for discussion.

The Committee received an update from the Chief Financial Officer regarding the ongoing external audit. They were told that Grant Thornton were still working on the 2021 accounts. They also heard that resourcing issues were affecting the undertaking of the audit and that it would come to Committee when ready.