Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

To be apprised of any changes to the membership of the Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, the Committee noted the termination of Councillor T Blane and the appointment of Councillor J Witter for this meeting only, thereby giving effect to the wishes of the Political Groups.

Note, no other business is permitted unless, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified at the meeting, the Chairman is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business.

If a Member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal and Democratic Services Manager in advance of the meeting.   (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda  ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To receive as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2021.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 26 January 2021, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Residents of West Lancashire on giving notice, may address the meeting to make representations on any item on the agenda except where the public and press are to be excluded during consideration of the item.  The deadline for submission is 10.00am on Friday 21 May 2021.

There were no items under this heading.

Members to consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services

Consideration was given to the Addendum to the Audit Findings Report for West Lancashire Borough Council for the year ended 31 March 2020, produced by Grant Thornton, as contained on pages 13-22 of the Book of Reports.

The Chairman invited Georgia Jones, Audit Director Grant Thornton, to present the findings to the Committee.

Comments and Questions were raised regarding the following:

·         A summary to be provided by the Auditors to show additional fees payable, due to changes in legislation.

·         Potential funding available to help cover additional fees.

RESOLVED:     That the addendum report be noted and Members approve the management letter of representation, prior to signature by the s151 Officer.

Members to consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services

Consideration was given to the Audit Progress Report and Sector Update produced by Grant Thornton, as contained on pages 23-44 of the Book of Reports.

The Chairman invited Georgia Jones, Audit Director Grant Thornton, to present the findings to the Committee.

Comments and Questions were raised regarding the following:

·         Workshops and training opportunities

·         Asset valuations

RESOLVED:     That the report be noted.

Members to consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services

Consideration was given to the Internal Audit Annual Plan 2021-22 as contained on pages 45-56 of the Book of Reports which provided Members with the background to the preparation of the 2021-22 Internal Audit Plan and was presented to Members for approval.

The Chairman invited the Internal Audit Manager to present the findings to the Committee.

RESOLVED:     That the Internal Audit Plan 2021-22 attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved to take effect from 1 April 2021.

Members to consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services

Consideration was given to the Internal Audit Charter 2021-22 Report, as contained on pages 57-100 of the Book of Reports which presented Members with the Internal Audit Charter 2021-22 for approval.

The Chairman invited the Internal Audit Manager to present the findings to the Committee.

RESOLVED:     That the Internal Audit Charter 2021-22 attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved to take effect from 25 May 2021.

Members to consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services

Consideration was given to the Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion 2020-21, as contained on pages 101-116 of the Book of Reports which presented Members with the Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion for consideration. 

The Chairman invited the Internal Audit Manager to present the findings to the Committee.

Comments and Questions were raised regarding the following:

·         Thanks were expressed to the internal audit team for their work during the Covid pandemic.

·         Follow up on "limited" reports using trackers and reporting to other Committees.

·         Escalation process and bringing Officers before the Committee to answer questions.

·         Update on follow up reports to be incorporated in next report for the Committee Members.

RESOLVED:     That the Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion for 2021-22 be noted. 

Members to consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services

Consideration was given to the Internal Audit Progress Report 2020/21 & 2021/22 as contained on pages 117-132 of the Book of Reports which advises Members of the progress against the 2020/21 Internal Audit Plan.  

The Chairman invited the Internal Audit Manager to present the findings to the Committee.

Comments and Questions were raised in respect of the following:

·         No issues with payroll to report

·         Monitoring of petrol use for council vehicles

RESOLVED:     That Members note progress in the year to date..

Members to consider the report of the Legal and Democratic Services Manager

Consideration was given to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, regular monitoring of use of powers, as contained on pages 133-160 of the Book of Reports which provided Members with the background to the preparation of the 2021-22 Internal Audit Plan and was presented to Members for approval.

The Chairman invited the Assistant Solicitor to present the findings to the Committee.

RESOLVED:     That the Council's RIPA activity and the RIPA Policy at Appendix 1, be noted.  

Consideration was given to the report of the Committee's Work Program as set on pages 161-162 of the Book of Reports.

RESOLVED: That the work programme be noted.