To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2014

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive for information  a presentation from the Director of Star Shared Procurement Service

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of STaR Shared Procurement outlining the details of the STaR Procurement organisation. The presentation included information on the Governance and Performance Framework, objectives, current activity and delivered savings.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

To receive for information a presentation from the Transformation Programme Manager

The Committee received a presentation from the Transformation Programme Manager outlining the details of the Transformation’s team’s outputs and outcomes from 2013/14, planned activity for 2014/15 and potential future challenges. Included within the Information presented was the current savings positions and the rebranding of the transformation programme to ‘Reshaping Trafford’.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted and a further update on the Transformation Programme be submitted to the Committee in due course.

To receive a report from the Council’s External Auditor

The Committee received the Council’s Annual Audit Letter for the year ended 31 March 2014, summarising the key findings arising from the work of the External Auditor, Grant Thornton.

The Chair noted that this would be Mick Waite’s last meeting as the Council’s External Auditor due to retirement. The Chair thanked Mick for his efforts and contribution to the work of the Committee with these comments endorsed and seconded by other members of the Committee

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the key messages and audit conclusions, including the key areas for Council attention.

To receive a report from the Council’s External Auditor

Members received a report from Grant Thornton UK LLP on the progress at November 2014, in delivering its responsibilities as the Authority’s external auditor.

The report also provided a summary of emerging national issues and developments relevant to the Council and included a number of challenge questions in respect of the emerging issues.

The new External Auditor Mick Thomas from Grant Thornton was introduced and welcomed to the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance submitted a joint report providing an update on the progress of the treasury management activities undertaken for the first half of 2014/15.

RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management activities undertaken in the first half of 2014/15 be noted.

To consider a report of  the Director of Finance

The Committee received a joint report of the Audit and Assurance Manager, Transformation Programme Manager and Acting Director of Human Resources.  Following the issue of the report setting out findings from the investigation relating to the Council’s budget monitoring requirements, an Action Plan was subsequently agreed as presented to the Committee on 25 September 2014. This report provided an update on the current position against each of the planned actions listed.

RESOLVED: That the Budget Monitoring Investigation Acton Plan Update be noted.

To consider the following report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance

The Committee received, for information, a joint report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance detailing the outcomes of the monitoring of the Council’s revenue budget for the first 5 months of the financial year which was presented to the Executive on 27 October 2014.

It was noted that information on period 6 was now known to the Director of Finance with the budget showing an improved financial position.

RESOLVED: That the revenue budget monitoring information for the period April to August 2014, be noted.

To consider a report of the Audit and Assurance Manager.

The Audit and Assurance Manager submitted an update report on the strategic risk environment for 2014/15 including the arrangements in place to manage each of the strategic risks.   

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the report be noted.

(2)         That the Committee also notes that to provide further understanding of risk levels, where possible, further details in relation to relevant performance and financial information should be included as part of future updates in respect of a number of risks relating to the CFW Directorate (Adult Social Services and Community Wellbeing).

To note a report of the Audit and Assurance Manager

The Audit and Assurance Manager submitted a report providing a summary of the work of Audit and Assurance during the period July to September 2014 and providing on-going assurance to the Council on the adequacy of its control environment.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Audit and Assurance Manager.

The Audit and Assurance Manager submitted a report setting out the updated work plan for the Committee for the 2014/15 Municipal Year and outlining the areas to be considered at each of its meetings.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.