Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair, Councillor Sam Weatherlake, welcomed those present.

David Parrett joined the meeting at 19.06

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Colin Stears with Councillor Steve Penneck attending as a substitute.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2020.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October be agreed as an accurate record.

A function of the Council’s Audit & Governance Committee is to receive reports on the operation of the member Code of Conduct at Sutton. The purpose of this report is to update the committee on complaints which have been received and dealt with since the last meeting.

Stephen Gerrard, Monitoring Officer presented the report.

The Monitoring Officer clarified the process for dealing with complaints and the process followed if a complaint was upheld.

RESOLVED:

1.    The actions taken by the monitoring officer in addressing complaints be noted.

This report seeks to provide the Audit and Governance Committee with an update on the Council’s preparations for Brexit and the key risks associated, following on from the work previously undertaken during 2019.

Sam Barker, Interim Assistant Director Customers and Commissioning, presented the report.

Members discussed the possible compounded impacts of Brexit and the current pandemic, drawing attention to food and fuel supply chains. Members suggested that a role for Members, those with community involvement and the Council was in communications and messaging to residents around appropriate behaviour, that food and basic items were available, and that panic buying or stockpiling was not necessary. It was confirmed that the Council were in contact with their contractors to support understanding of risks. The Interim Assistant Director Customers and Commissioning explained there had been work to help understanding of the Council’s workforce and that of contractors, and support provided to help staff with applications for settled status.

Members drew attention to the need for the Council’s website to be regularly updated with clear information and guidance to residents. The Interim Assistant Director Customers and Commissioning explained the Council was using feedback from the voluntary sector to improve content and accessibility of the website.

RESOLVED:

1.    The current Brexit Preparedness as detailed within the report be noted.

Councillor Param Nandha joined the meeting at 19.53.

This report summarises the results of the Council’s Counter-Fraud and investigations work undertaken since 1 April 2020 across the financial year 2020/21.

Kevin Holland, Head of South West London Fraud Partnership (SWLFP) presented the report.

The Head of South West London Fraud Partnership (SWLFP) clarified figures in the report.

Members discussed the value of the National Fraud Initiative, and where local gains could be achieved.

RESOLVED:

1.    The report be noted and commented on.

In June 2020, the Audit and Governance Committee agreed to an Annual Audit Plan comprising a total of 640 chargeable days. This report summarises Internal Audit’s progress in delivering the Annual Audit Plan up to October 2020.

Kevin Holland, Head of South West London Fraud Partnership (SWLFP) presented the report.

The Head of South West London Fraud Partnership (SWLFP) clarified figures in the report, and confirmed the data drew attention to systems in place which provided confidence in the invoicing system.

RESOLVED:

1.    The internal audit report be noted.

Members had no further comments.