Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Councillor Jeffery who was replacing Councillor Laming for the remainder of the municipal year.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2014 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 3 February 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services seeking approval for changes to the City Council’s Constitution, attached.

The Committee considered the report of theHead of Legal and Democratic Services, seeking approval for recommendation to Council of changes to the Council’s Constitution.

It was noted that paragraph 15(a) of Appendix 1 should read “Any major planning application will be considered by the Panel if there are five or more objections and a ward councillor wishes it to go rather than one objection as now.”  The Committee were concerned with this particular issue and requested that Council gave consideration as to whether the “trigger” for referral should be 5 objections or one ward member rather than and one ward member.

RESOLVED that, subject to updated wording for paragraph 15(a), the changes to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the report be recommended to Full Council.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services seeking approval of the updated Code of Corporate Governance, attached.

The Committee considered the report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services regarding changes to the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance.

RESOLVED that the updated Code of Corporate Governance (CCG) set out in the report as Appendix 1, be noted and approved with the addition of “2013-16” against the Council Plan lines.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services concerning the Member Development Strategy and outlining a programme for Member Development in 2014/15, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services seeking comments and endorsement of the Member Development Strategy. 

RESOLVED that the Member Learning and Development Strategy be approved and the outline programme for Member Development for 2014/15 be endorsed.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer seeking approval of the Risk Management Strategy 2014-15 and the Annual Action Plan, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer regarding the Risk Management Strategy 2014-15 and Annual Action Plan.

RESOLVED:

(i)  that the Risk Management Strategy 2014-15 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted and approved;

(ii)  that the Risk Management Action Plan for 2014-15 as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be noted and approved; and

(iii)  that the Risk Management Actions: Status Report 2013-14 as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, be noted.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding internal audit progress to the period March 2014, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding internal audit progress to the period March 2014.

It was noted that a further update regarding the use of mobile phones within the Authority would be provided to members of the Committee.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor seeking approval of the Internal Audit Plan 2014-15, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding the Internal Audit Annual Plan 2014-15.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Plan for 2014/15 be approved.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor seeking approval of the Internal Audit Charter 2014-15, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding Public Sector Internal Auditing Standards.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Charter 2014-15 be approved.

Report of the External Auditors detailing the external audit plan for the year ending 31 March 2014, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding the External Auditor’s Plan for the year ending 31 March 2014.