| 662 | RECORD OF THE MEETING |
| | | The record of the meeting held on 5 February 2008 was signed by the Chairman as correct. |
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| 663 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE |
| | | Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Reckless. |
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| 664 | DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST |
| | | Councillor Griffiths declared a personal interest in any reference to the Medway Primary Care Trust insofar as he is a non-executive director of the Trust. In addition, he declared a personal interest in any issue affecting Danecourt School as his wife is an employee at the school.
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| Councillor Juby declared a personal interest in agenda item 5(D) (Outcomes of Audit Activity) due to the audit on mobile phone activity.
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| Councillor Jarrett declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 5(D) (Outcomes of Audit Activity) as he is a member of Rochester Bridge Trust and the report included details of a follow-up audit on the Medway Tunnel. He withdrew from the meeting when this matter was discussed. |
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| 665 | OUTCOMES OF HOUSING BENEFIT COUNTER FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS |
| | Discussion: |
| | | The Audit Services Manager submitted a report that informed the Committee of progress in investigating allegations of housing and council tax benefit during the period January 2008 to March 2008.
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| The report highlighted that the investigations team had identified over £500,000 of fraudulent overpayments of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Department of Work and Pensions benefits. Details of the prosecutions, cautions and administrative penalty issued since the last report to the Committee were set out.
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| | > Outcomes of Housing Benefit Counter Fraud Investigations (pdf file 29.3kb) |
| | Decision: |
| | | The Committee noted the progress in investigating benefit fraud in accordance with the approved sanction policy. |
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| 666 | MINIMISING IMPACT OF VACANCY IN 2008/2009 |
| | Discussion: |
| | | The Audit Services Manager introduced a report outlining proposed changes to the internal audit work programme for 2008/2009. These were designed to minimise the impact of a vacancy within the team on the delivery of the audit service.
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| The report outlined and considered the options of reducing audit coverage and transferring staff from other sections. To ensure capacity, the adoption of a risk-based approach for the financial control audit work in schools was proposed.
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| During the discussion on this item the Audit Services Manager undertook to provide Members with a briefing note explaining how risk was assessed in schools. |
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| | > Minimising Impact of Vacancy in 2008-09 (pdf file 22.4kb) |
| | Decision: |
| | | The Committee noted and agreed the proposed method of managing the staff absence in 2008/2009 as outlined in the report. |
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| 667 | INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRAMME 2007/2008 |
| | Discussion: |
| | | Members were given a brief overview of progress in achieving the internal audit programme for 2007/2008.
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| It was noted that the internal work programme was derived from a number of sources including the Council's risk identification process, internal audit's view of risk and requests from Members and officers. Details of progress, together with details of those audits removed from the plan, were annexed to the report. |
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| | > Internal Audit Programme 2007-08 (pdf file 56.0kb) |
| | Decision: |
| | | The Committee noted the progress in achieving the 2007/2008 internal audit work programme. |
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| 668 | OUTCOMES OF AUDIT ACTIVITY |
| | Discussion: |
| | | The Audit Services Manager gave a brief introduction on the outcome of completed internal audit activity since the previous meeting of the Audit Committee.
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| The Chief Finance Officer and Audit Services Managers responded to Members' questions. This included assurances that the procedures and process identified in the payroll audit were considered to be sufficient to address the issues raised and that existing relationships and responsibilities between the Council and schools would govern the implementation of any audit findings.
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During the debate Members were also advised that the closure of the cashier service would not have implications for Council tax collection, as there were sufficient alternative payment facilities. This included payments by direct debit, by phone and the Internet and at a high street banks. Responding to questions concerning the avenues used to validate occupancy and entitlement to Council tax discounts, the Chief Finance Officer referred to a recent briefing note sent to Members of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and advised that the frequency of inspections had now been restored to previous levels.
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| In response to questions regarding the audit on Section 106 Agreements it was agreed that a briefing note be produced explaining why implementation of the recommendations was due by the end of 2008. The Audit Services Manager also agreed to advise officers of the Committee's concerns regarding the timely implementation of the accounting controls recommended by the Events audit and the Chief Finance Officer would confirm the capital funding position of the Medway Tunnel CCTV link. |
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| | > Outcomes of Audit Activity (pdf file 112.5kb) |
| | Decision: |
| | | The Committee noted the outcome of Internal Audit's work. |
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| 669 | IRREGULARITY REPORT |
| | Discussion: |
| | | This report and supporting exempt appendix set out details of a major irregularity investigation and explained the actions taken to deal with the situation. |
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| | > Irregularity Report (pdf file 14.1kb) |
| | Decision: |
| | | The Committee noted the outcome of the irregularity investigation and the actions taken. |
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| 670 | EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC |
| | | The Committee agreed to exclude the press and public, in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 5 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, because the following verbal report contained commercially sensitive and legally privileged information. |
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| | > Exclusion of the Press and Public (pdf file 16.3kb) |
| 671 | OPERATION OF THE HOUSING MAINTENANCE CONTRACT |
| | Discussion: |
| | | The Assistant Director, Housing and Corporate Services gave a verbal report advising Members of the Council's position with Erinaceous Property Management in relation to the operation of the housing maintenance contract.
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| A detailed report would be submitted to the Audit Committee at the earliest opportunity.
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| The Committee agreed to adjourn the meeting for ten minutes at the start of this item. |
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| | > Operation of the Housing Maintenance Contract (pdf file 14.4kb) |
| | Decision: |
| | | The verbal report was noted. |
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