|
BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (STEWARDSHIP) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (STEWARDSHIP) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2009
PRESENT: Mr D M Busby – Chairman
|
Mrs M O Munson
Mr C A Roberts
Mr H N Todd |
Mr D M Walton
Mr L H Young |
The following Members were unable to be present:-
Mrs J Antill, Mr J C Brand, Mr D G Grutchfield and Mr B Riley.
33 - Substitutes
34 - Declaration of Interests
35 - Minutes
36 - Petitions
37 - Questions from Members
38 - External Audit Annual Governance Report
39 - The Council's Annual Report 2008/09
40 - Risk Management - Quarterly Monitoring Report
41 - Monitoring the Management of Major Projects
42 - Staffing Levels and Salary Costs
43 - Work Plan
It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mrs M O Munson (substituting for Mr D G Grutchfield).
None declared.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 August 2009 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
The Director of Finance submitted a report (Paper J90) relating to the External Auditor’s Annual Governance Report for 2008/09.
Mr Richard Bint, Ms Zoe Thompson and Ms Clare Beesley from the external auditors (PKF) were in attendance at the meeting to present the Annual Governance report and to answer questions from Members.
Members noted that the outstanding issue outlined in paragraph 3.19 of the auditor’s report had now been satisfactorily resolved.
RESOLVED
That the contents of the external auditor’s Annual Governance Report for 2008/09 and the Action Plan outlined in Appendix A of the report be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Finance submitted a joint report (Paper J91) recommending an Annual Report to provide Babergh residents and businesses with a review of achievements and financial performance for the 2008/09 year.
Peter Quirk, Policy and Communications Manager, presented the report and answered Members’ questions.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
That the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make final amendments to the draft Annual Report attached as Appendix A to Paper J91 prior to its publication.
The Director of Finance submitted a report (Paper J92) providing Members with an update on the management of significant business risks facing the Council and updating Members of further risk management actions to mitigate against these, including those relating to partnerships.
John Snell, Acting Audit Manager, presented the report and answered various questions from Members.
RESOLVED
(1) That the latest position on managing each of the Council’s significant business risks as set out in the final column of Appendix A of Paper J92 be noted.
(2) That in view of the changed economic and financial position both nationally and at the Council, the risk ratings for Risks 2 and 8 be increased as set out in Paper J92.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management submitted a report (Paper J93) advising Members of the management arrangements now in place to ensure improved monitoring of major projects undertaken by the Council.
Bob Southgate, Head of Customer Services, presented the report and answered various questions from Members.
RESOLVED
That the arrangements now in place for monitoring the Council’s major projects be noted.
Mr H N Todd, Chairman of the HR Panel, introduced Paper J94 which provided key information on the staffing establishment budget and costs since April 2007.
Jeanette Bray, Human Resources and Organisational Development Manager, was present at the meeting and answered various questions from Members.
RESOLVED
(1) That the information on staffing establishment, budget and costs since April 2007 and the overall reductions that have arisen be noted.
(2) That the current and future management arrangements including the ongoing involvement of the HR Panel in monitoring this information on a quarterly basis be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper J95) which provided details of the Committee’s anticipated work for the remainder of 2009/10 including any items that may be the subject of call-in procedures.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan submitted as Paper J95 be noted.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 10.45 a.m.
............................................................... Chairman
|