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To Members of the Audit Committee

Notice of Meeting

Derek Bishop
Head of Democratic Services

18 July 2006

Membership

Chairman – Councillor David Wilmshurst

Deputy Chairman – Councillor John Farrow

Councillors:

Co-opted Members:

AGENDA

Addenda

1. Apologies for Absence and Temporary Appointments
   
   
2. Declarations of Interest – see guidance note
   
   
3. Minutes
   
   (See also Addenda)
   

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2006 (AU3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

4. Petitions and Public Address
   
   
5. Audit Working Group – 13 July 2006

11:10

Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor C. H. Shouler
Cabinet Member for Change Management: Councillor John Howell*
Chairman, Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat
Contact: Ian Dyson, Assistant Head of Finance (Audit)

Report by Director for Resources (AU5).

*For Project Link and SAP for Schools Project item.

6. 2005/06 Interim Memorandum (July 2006)
   
   (See also Addenda)
   

11:40

Cabinet Member for Finance: Councillor C. H. Shouler
Chairman, Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat
Contact: Sue Scane, Head of Finance & Procurement

(KPMG to present the report)

The report by KPMG (AU6) (download as .doc file) considers the Council’s arrangements and controls in respect of the system of internal financial, including Internal Audit; the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption; and the current financial standing of the Council.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to consider and comment upon the interim report.

7. Compliance With CIPFA Guidance on Audit Committees in Local Government
   
   (See also Addenda)
   

12:10

Cabinet Member for Finance: Councillor C. H. Shouler
Chairman, Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat
Contact: Ian Dyson, Assistant Head of Finance (Audit)

Report by Director for Resources (AU7 – to follow).

(AU7 - appendix 2)


The 2006 CPA assessment for Use of Resources includes key lines of enquiry (KLoE) relating to the functions and effectiveness of an Audit Committee. For 2006 the KLoE specifically refers to the CIPFA guidance as the standard for defining the core functions of an Audit Committee. To ensure we are compliant with the CIPFA Guidance, a self assessment will be completed by the Audit Working Group and the results reported to the Committee with any actions required identified for approval.

12:30 Working Lunch

8. Internal Audit Quarterly Report – Quarter 1, 1 April – 30 June 2006
   
   (See also Addenda)
   

12:40

Cabinet Member for Finance: Councillor C.H. Shouler
Chairman, Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat
Contact: Ian Dyson, Assistant Head of Finance (Audit)

Report by Head of Finance & Procurement (AU8).

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

1. note the report;
2. approve the variations to the Internal Audit Plan;
3. note the Head of Internal Audit Protocol; and
4. approve the Internal Audit Terms of Reference.

9. Financial Management Implementation Plan (FMIP2) – Quarterly Monitoring

1:00

Cabinet Member for Finance: Councillor C.H. Shouler
Chairman, Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat
Contact: Jenny Hydari, Assistant Head of Finance

Report by Head of Finance & Procurement (AU9).

The initial Financial Management Implementation Plan was a set of actions designed to improve financial management within Oxfordshire County Council. The Council requested Robson Rhodes to complete a follow up review eighteen months later. We have used the recommendations made by Robson Rhodes in this follow up review as a basis for the second Financial Management Implementation Plan. The revised plan identifies actions in nine priority areas and one best practice area.

The status summary will be updated every quarter and progress in achievement of key priority actions reported to the Strategic Finance Group and the Audit Working Group as well as this Committee.

The table at annex 1 summarises the current position on key actions and provides an assessment of whether they are on schedule for achieving their objectives. Some actions already have established projects and reporting channels whilst other actions are being developed as a result of the follow up review.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note progress to date and give any feedback on the quarterly monitoring report to the Head of Finance & Procurement so that this can be incorporated in the work being undertaken on the Financial Management Implementation Plan 2.

10. CIPFA Better Governance Forum: ‘Audit Committees’

1:20

Cabinet Member for Finance: Councillor C.H. Shouler
Chairman, Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat
Contact: Councillor David Wilmshurst

Councillor Wilmshurst will report orally on his attendance at a one day workshop which was held in London on 18 April 2006 and was designed to help to ensure that audit committees work effectively.

11. Audit Committee Work Programme 2006

1:40 To review / update the Committee’s Work Programme for the remainder of the year (AU11).

1:50 Close of meeting

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