Agenda and minutes

To receive Apologies for Absence from Committee members. 

Councillor Richard Stobart sent apologies and Councillor Dr. Lisa Redrup attended as his substitute.

Councillor Peter Sandford declared an interest as a non-remunerated director of South Cambs Ltd trading as Ermine Street Housing.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 19 January 2023 and 21 February 2023 as correct records.

The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee authorised the Chair to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023 subject to an amendment being made to Minute 2 (Declarations of interest) to show Councillor Richard Stobart’s interests as being a Director of both the South Cambridgeshire Investment Partnership LLP and South Cambridgeshire Projects LLP rather than a non-remunerated directors of South Cambs Ltd trading as Ermine Street Housing.

The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee authorised the Chair to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2023.

The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee considered a report on the use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Members noted that the Council had not used surveillance powers between December 2022 and February 2023.

The Committee paid tribute to Rory McKenna, who would be leaving South Cambridgeshire District Council at the end of March 2023 to become Monitoring Officer at the Greater London Authority.

The Committee noted the report and approved South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Corporate Policy & Procedures attached thereto, subject to a few minor typographical changes relating to linguistics and consistency.

The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee received and noted a report updating Members about topical news items intended to further their understanding of Corporate Governance.

In response to questions from Committee members, the Head of Shared Internal Audit

·       Agreed that, with regard to whistleblowing, it should be made clear to whom reports should be made.

·       Confirmed that South Cambridgeshire District Council corporate governance was broadly comparable with that of similar local authorities.

·       Explained the value of sharing legal and fair information with other local authorities in areas such as Right To Buy fraud.

·       Clarified the importance of human input into the National Fraud Initiative, notwithstanding ever-improving algorithms.

At the Chair’s invitation, the Head of Finance

·       Reported that South Cambridgeshire District Council had secured a reduction of £3,500 in the level of fees charged in respect of the 2018-19 Audit of Accounts.

·       Expressed confidence in becoming up-to-date in terms of audited accounts given the impending change of external auditor.

The Chair

·       invited Members to give some thought to what the role might be of an ‘independent member’ were one to be appointed to the Audit & Corporate Governance Committee.

·       Said that he would consider publishing an Audit & Corporate Governance Committee Annual Report.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 at 10 am in the Council Chamber.

The next meeting of the Audit & Corporate Governance Committee meeting had been scheduled for 26 July 2023 at 10.00am.