Audit Committee

Thursday 26 October 2006 at 3.00 pm

Present:   Councillors Hill, McCabe, Moran, Robertson and Stewart.

Chair:   Councillor McCabe presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, Mr A Henderson (for Director of Education Services), Head of Legal and Administration, Head of Finance, Interim Chief Internal Auditor, Head of Property Services, Head of Social Work Resources and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Present Also:  Mrs A Cassels, Ms E Boyd and Mr D Richardson, Audit Scotland.

Apologies:  Councillor McCormick (M).

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

   749

Risk Management Progress Report

749

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing an update on progress made on risk management since the last meeting of the Committee.

Decided:     that the Committee note the progress on risk management since the last Audit Committee meeting.

   750

External Audit Action Plan Progress Report

750

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing an update on the progress made against previously issued External Audit Action Plans.

Decided: that the progress made in implementing External Audit recommendations as set out in the appendices to the report be noted.

   751

External Audit Progress Report

751

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer appending reports entitled (1) ICT Service Review, (2) Capital Strategy, (3) Corporate Governance – Review of Sundry Debtors and Benefit Systems Corporate Strategy and (4) Efficient Government Position Statement which had been produced by Audit Scotland since the last meeting of the Committee.

Decided: 

(1)    that the Committee note the matters raised in the reports and the arrangements for ongoing monitoring of implementation of the agreed actions;

(2)  that the ICT Service Review and the Corporate Governance – Review of Sundry Debtors and Benefit Systems Corporate Strategy be referred to the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee for consideration; and

(3)   that the Capital Strategy and the Efficient Government Position Statement be referred to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration.

   752

Internal Audit Progress Report

752

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on the work undertaken by the Internal Audit section for the period 4 August 2006 to 25 September 2006.

Decided: that the Committee note the progress made by Internal Audit in the reporting period.

   753

Inverclyde Council Audit 2005/06 – Report to Members and the Controller of Audit

753

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the annual report by the Council’s External Auditors, Audit Scotland, for 2005/06, a copy of which was appended to the report, and (2) seeking approval of the Action Plan appended to the report.

Decided: that the Committee note the matters raised in respect of the audit of the 2005/06 accounts and approve the Action Plan appended to the report which will continue to be reported to the Committee until all the actions contained therein are completed.

   754

Mrs Angela Cassels

754

The Convener referred to the forthcoming retiral of Mrs Angela Cassels, Audit Scotland. On behalf of the Committee, he thanked Mrs Cassels for her professional dealings with the Council and conveyed his best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

   755

Disability Discrimination Act Compliance

755

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress the Council is making in achieving compliance with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and (2) setting out proposals for further actions to meet the requirements of the Act.

Decided:

(1)   that Property Services continue with the strategy for property asset compliance in accordance with the provisions of the Act;

(2)     that the Council complete and implement a Disability and Equality Scheme; and

(3)     that the report be remitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

   756

Internal Audit Progress Report – Appendix

756

There was submitted appendix to the Internal Audit progress report providing details of a whistleblowing investigation.

Noted