Decision details

The Committee considered the Audit Recommendation Tracker report by the Chief Executive in respect of actions taken to address internal and external audit recommendations (circulated previously).

The Committee noted the following updates:

·       27 recommendations had been included in table A – these were the live recommendations.

·       23 recommendations had been included in table B  (recommendations completed since the last meeting of the Governance Committee)

·       Table C detailed 7 recommendations for which time extensions were being requested. 

·       Table D detailed no outstanding recommendations.

·       The recommendations in Table E covered the Annual Governance Statement.

The Chief Executive confirmed the following in relation to those in Table C:

·       21 CSM&R Expected to be completed by the end of Feb 2023. Delay had been caused by supply issues.

·       22 S 03 The training had been set up and this would be finished in Feb 2023.

·       22 EPCC 03 Had been postponed due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  It had now been re-scheduled for May 2023 following the local elections. This would take place alongside the other training sessions programmed for the Councillors.

·       22 P 02 This was an ongoing process – to build relationships with consultees. Works were ongoing with Devon County Council / Highways to improve closer worker.

·       22 CTAX & NNDR 01 No progress to date, although was now in the service plan with aim to completed by August 2023. Delays had been caused due to additional duties imposed on the team to cover new Government policy/grant schemes.

The Chair confirmed the need for realistic extension dates to be set in order to reduce need to re-request when deadlines not met.         

The Chair and Cllr Henderson declared interests as County Councillors (Devon County Council (DCC)).

In relation to recommendation 22 P 02, the Chair, and Cllr Henderson, confirmed the Planning officers could contact them in relation to any responses required from DCC.

RESOLVED:

(a)           that the time extensions requested in the Audit Recommendation Tracker be approved; and

(b)           that the Audit Recommendation Tracker be noted.