Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2016 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Service Director: Legal and Governance reviewing and updating the Council’s Constitution.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director Legal and Governance detailing the annual review of the Constitution.  The Committee noted that proposed changes included revisions to the Officer Scheme of Delegation, the addition of a Council Procedure Rule in relation to Honorary Alderman, minor practical revisions to the Civic and Ceremonial Protocol and an addition to the Access to Information Procedure Rules.

RESOLVED that the proposed changes be recommended to Council for adoption. 

Report of the Monitoring Officer following review of the Code of Corporate Governance.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director Legal and Governance detailing the Code of Corporate Governance setting out the commitment of Southampton City Council to continue to uphold the highest possible standards of good governance.

RESOLVED

(i)  that the updated Code of Corporate Governance be approved; and

(ii)  the Committee receive a further report following the publication of the updated CIPFA guidance.

Report the Chief Internal Auditor detailing a status report on the Internal Audit progress to the Committee.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the Internal Audit Progress Report for the period to March 2016 and the summary of activities as detailed in the appendix to the report.  The Committee also noted that those activities that were outstanding had now been completed.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the Internal Plan for the 206-2017 municipal year.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the proposed Internal Audit Plan for 2016-17.  The Committee noted the plan would remain fluid and subject to ongoing review and amendment following consultation with the relevant Service Directors and Audit Sponsors to ensure it continued to reflect the needs of the Council.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Plan for 2016-17 as detailed in the appendix to the report be approved.

Report of Chief Internal Auditor seeking approval for the Internal Audit Charter.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the Internal Audit Charter 2016-17.  The Committee noted that the internal audit charter was a formal document that defined internal audits purpose, authority and responsibility.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Charter 2016-17 as detailed in the appendix to the report be approved.

Report of Chief Internal Auditor detailing for approval the External Audit Plan.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the External Audit Plan for the year ending 31^st March 2016.  The Committee noted that the plan summarised the external auditor’s initial assessment of the key risks driving the development of an effective audit for the Council and outlined their planned audit strategy in response to those risks.