Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting and details of substitutions and for whom they are attending to the Committee membership.

Apologies for absence wre received on behalf of Councillor Naheed Mather and Councillor Harry McCarthy.  Councillor Sokhal attended as a substitue for Councillor McCarthy.

Toapprovethe Minutesofthemeetingof the Committeeheld on the 24^th November 2023.

In response to a question concerning Minute 2 of the last meeting, relating to budget management and forecasting process, The Head of Internal Audit reported that he had met with the Chair to discuss the issue, and a response to be provided at item 7.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th November 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Committee.

It was noted that Agenda items 13 and 14 would be considered in private session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting. 

There were no deputation or petitions received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No questions were asked.

To receive the Auditors Annual Report 2022/23.

Contact: Grant Thornton, External Auditor.

RESOLVED: That the Auditors Annual Report 2022/23 be received and noted.

To receive the Treasury Management Strategy and consider the Investment Strategy 2024/25.

Contact: Rachel Firth, Finance Manager.

RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/254 incorporating (i) the borrowing strategy, (ii) the investment strategy, (iii) the policy for provision of repayment of debt (Minimum Revenue Provision) (iv) the treasury management prudential indicators and (v) the investment strategy (non-treasury investments) be referred to the meeting of Council on 6 March 2024.

To consider the dates and times for meetings of Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Contact: Leigh Webb, Head of Governance.

RESOLVED –

1)    That the schedule of Council meetings for the 2024-25 municipal year be submitted to the meeting of Council on 7 February 2024 with a recommendation of approval,

2)    That Lead Members be asked to consider a meeting of Council between February and July 2025.

To consider the Risk Management Annual Report 2023-24.

Contact: Alice Carruthers, Senior Finance Officer

               Martin Dearnley, Head of Risk.

RESOLVED-

1)    That the report be received and noted

2)    That the committee be content with the risk management process as described, and currently operated.

To receive the internal audit quarter 3 report 2023/24.

Contact: Martin Dearnley, Head of Risk.

RESOLVED-

1)            That the Internal Audit Quarterly Report be noted and that no further action was sought on any matter identified.

2)            That it be noted that there has been no Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act activity during the period quarter 3 2023/24.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED: That acting under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the pubic be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Park 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as specifically 6 stated in the undermentioned minutes.

Exempt appendix in relation to agenda item 10.

The Committee noted the exempt information, which was an appendix to Agenda item 10.

Exempt appendix in relation to agenda item 11.

The Committee noted the exempt information, which was an appendix to Agenda item 11.