Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Reserve Members in attendance.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee;

(b)               all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 8 – Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy: Mid-Year Review

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a member of the London Councils’ Pension Scheme.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2014 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Chair advised that a response had been provided on the issue of naming officers in the minutes of the Committee and suggested that officers be named by their job titles only.  It was agreed that this suggestion be referred back to the Director of Legal and Governance Services for his consideration.

A Member also commented that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2014 had not made reference to his comment that in his opinion, the Council’s auditors had said that there had been no impact caused as a result of the departure of the Chief Executive.  It was agreed that this be referenced as part of this meeting’s minutes.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2014 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 17 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

Questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, Wednesday 26^th November 2014. Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED: To note that no public questions, petitions or deputations were received at this meeting.

To receive references from Council and any other Committees or Panels (if any).

There were none.

Report of the Director of Finance and Assurance.

The Committee received a report, presented by the Director of Finance and Assurance, which set out the mid-year review of treasury management activities for 2014/15. 

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance and Assurance.

The Committee received a report, presented by the Director of Finance and Assurance, which provided an opportunity to consider the Annual Audit Letter.

A Member of the Committee commented that it would be useful for the Committee to write to the Council’s auditors to seek clarification on their views in relation to the effect of the deletion of the Chief Executive post. Upon a vote this proposal was not agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance and Assurance.

The Committee received a report, presented by the Corporate Anti-Fraud Service Manager, which detailed the mid-year Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) performance against the Service Fraud Plan for 2014/15.  It also provided information about the future work of the CAFT since benefit fraud work has transferred to the Department for Work & Pensions.

During the presentation of the report, the Committee was asked to consider from a fraud risk perspective where in their opinion the priorities existed in both the short term and medium to longer term.  The Chair commented that it would also be a good idea to circulate a note to all Members to seek their views on relevant priorities.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance and Assurance.

The Committee received a report, presented by the Head of Internal Audit, which set out progress against the 2014/15 Internal Audit plan and key issues arising from work undertaken.

Members commented that in the future they would like the report to include the most up to date information to ensure that they were considering the most recent data.

Upon a request by a Member, officers undertook to provide an update at the next meeting on issues relating to Creditors’ Ledgers.

During the discussion on this item, the Committee agreed to exclude the press and the public when discussing an issue relating to whistleblowing at two schools.  This was because the information involved the likely disclosure of Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.