Agenda and minutes

11.1     RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last meeting held on 10 July 2015 be approved as a correct record.

12.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

13.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which presented the Independent Auditor’s Annual Governance Report and the Statement of Accounts.  Final versions of the ISA 260 and the Statement were circulated to replace the drafts published with the agenda.  

13.2     The Committee RESOLVED to (1) note the Independent Auditor’s (KPMG) Annual Governance Report on ESCC accounts and the Value for Money conclusion report;

(2) authorise the Chief Finance Officer to sign the formal Letter of Representation to KPMG LLP;

(3) approve the Statement of Accounts for publication; and

(4) congratulate and thank officers for their efforts in completing the accounts. 

Report by Monitoring Officer

14.1     The Committee considered a report by the Monitoring Officer which provided information on compliance with the Council’s code of corporate governance and any changes to it that may be necessary to maintain it and ensure its effectiveness in practice, and sought approval of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement in compliance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2011.

14.2     The Committee considered the comments of the Audit, Best Value and Community Services Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 July 2015.

14.3     The Committee RESOLVED to:

•           approve the action plan for the next year;

•           note that items identified to enhance governance arrangements are reflected in Business Plans and that implementation will be monitored through the year;

•           confirm that Members are satisfied with the level of assurance provided to them through this report and the Council’s governance framework and processes; and

•           approve the Annual Governance Statement for signature by the Leader and the Chief Executive and publication within the Statement of Accounts, subject to the following changes:

o   an amendment in Annex A so that it reflects that workforce development strategies are in place for Business Services (BSD), Communities, Economy and Transport (CET) and Adult Social Care and Health as well as for Children’s Services (last bullet point in the section for Children’s Services)

o   an amendment in Annex A so that the action to review and automate the process for staff to submit declarations of interest and gifts/hospitality returns is extended to include elected Members (last bullet point under Governance Services).

Report by Chief Operating Officer

15.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer regarding membership of the East Sussex Pension Board.

15.2     The Committee RESOLVED to agree the appointment of Councillor Kevin Allen (Brighton & Hove City Council) to replace Councillor Andrew Wealls.