Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 13 July 2005
PRESENT:
Councillors T.K. Thornber, CBE (Chairman); A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; C.R. Davidovitz;
T.G. Knight; J. Maxwell.
1 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
No such interests were declared by Members on this occasion.
2 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 March 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
3 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman had no communications to make.
4 MEMBERS QUESTIONS
No questions had been received from Members.
5 DEPUTATIONS
No deputations had been notified under Standing Order 21.
6 DRAFT STATEMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Corporate and Legal Services and Monitoring Officer and the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the draft statement. The County Treasurer explained the process by which the County Council sought to achieve full compliance with controls and procedures. In response to Members' questions he confirmed that the Comprehensive Performance Assessment would attach increasing importance to proper monitoring and risk assessment. With this in mind the Committee requested a report from the Risk Management Board chaired by the Chief Executive to be referred to them at their next meeting.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the draft Statement of Internal Control be approved for signature by the Leader and Chief Executive.
(b) That the Chief Executive be requested to report to the next meeting of the Committee on the work of the Risk Management Board.
7 SOCIAL CARE ITEMS REFERRED FROM THE LAST MEETING
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Social Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out responses to the specific concerns raised at their last meeting. The Director of Social Services elaborated on the action taken in the following areas:
· contracting for Children's Services, with particular reference to avoidance of any staff conflict of interest and to the Manpower contract for temporary staff being used
· Contract compliance, particularly monitoring and regulation of personal care standards
· Regulation 38 Foster Carers, notably informal and Criminal Records Bureau checks in a way which balances safety and security against the need to avoid long procedural delays which might compromise effective placements
· financial irregularities at residential homes, where a training programme had been put in place to overcome the risks identified.
The County Treasurer highlighted the significant progress which had been made by the Social Services Department in responding to the concerns identified, and Members thanked the Director of Social Services for the effective action which had been taken to minimise risks in the areas identified above.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and its contents welcomed.
8 SICKNESS ABSENCE WHILST SUSPENDED FOR ALLEGED GROSS MISCONDUCT
The Committee considered report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which was a response to concerns they had raised at their last meeting. Attention was drawn to the impact of the newly established Employment Practice Centre and of statutory dispute resolution procedures. They endorsed the revised practical proposals set out in the report as a way of avoiding undue delays in resolving any disputes which arose where staff were suspended and then went away on sick leave.
RESOLVED:
That the contents of the report be noted and that the measures taken be endorsed on the basis set out in paragraph 3 of the report.
9 ANNUAL INTERNAL AUDIT OPINION
The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing an independent opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal control operating in each department and in the County Council as a whole. Members were pleased to see the clearly expressed view that the framework was effective and provided reasonable assurance regarding the effective, efficient and economic achievement of the County Council's objectives. They expressed concerns at some of the audit issues raised in relation to the Human Resources Department and therefore requested that the Director of Human Resources should report further to them on proposed responses to these at their next meeting.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Governance Committee accept the internal audit assurance statement for 2004/05 detailed in Appendix A to the report.
(b) That progress of management actions taken to resolve the issues set out in paragraphs 6.2 to 6.15 be reported mid year to the Governance Committee.
(c) That the Director of Human Resources be requested to report to the next meeting of the Committee on the audit issues identified and on proposed responses to them.
10 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of paragraph 14 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute 11 below.
11 ANNUAL INTERNAL AUDIT OPINION - CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX D
The Committee considered the confidential Appendix D to the County Treasurer's report on annual internal audit opinion. Members commented on specific irregularities and drew attention to the remedial action being taken.
5mM46705