Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Slade.

The Minutes of the 7 December 2015 Audit, Scrutiny and Transformation Committee were approved as a true record.  Members noted that, in relation to Minute 257,  the Hackney Carriage fare setting process proposed to be discussed at the current meeting had been approved at the 3 November 2015 Planning and Licensing Committee meeting (Minute 213 refers).

The report detailed the progress to date against the 2015/16 internal audit plan that was agreed within the Audit and Scrutiny Committee in March 2015.

The report also included an update on the progress of the implementation of the recommendations raised in 2014/15.

Reports on Planning (limited assurance) and  Safe and Clean Environment  (moderate assurance)  had been completed since the last Committee meeting and a summary of the findings were included in the progress report.

Mr Rubins and Mr Barnes, internal auditors, were in attendance and responded to Members’ questions.

Cllr Faragher MOVED and Cllr Mrs Murphy SECONDED  the recommendation in the report and following a full discussion a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

To receive and note the contents of the reports.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To monitor the progress of work against the internal audit plan.

The report outlined how effective scrutiny added considerable value to how the Council made decisions on the allocation of resources which had become increasingly important as the Council continued to set budgets against tough economic decisions and severe funding cuts from Central Government.  The medium term financial process would need to address continued financial challenges and develop a strategic approach to address funding gaps.

The Committee agreed its work plan at the 29 June 2015 meeting which included the creation of a task and finish group to scrutinise the Council’s budget proposals.  The group met on 8 January 2016 to consider the initial assumptions in the Preliminary Medium Term Financial Plan agreed by the Policy, Finance and Resources Committee and the report before Members provided feedback from that meeting. 

Cllr Faragher MOVED and Cllr Mrs Murphy SECONDED  the recommendation in the report and following a full discussion a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

That the Policy, Finance and Resources Committee is requested to consider the feedback on the Preliminary Medium Term Financial Plan outlined in paragraphs 4.3. to 4.8 of the report.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:

Effective financial management underpins all of the priorities for the Council.

There were no items of urgent business.

____________________________

The meeting concluded at 19.45 hrs.