Archived decisions

    Draft

AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 8 November, 2007.

PRESENT:

    Councillors: P.R.C. Hutcheson (Chairman); M.F. Cartwright; M.G. Cooper; D. Harrison; R. McIntosh; R. Smith; R. Williams.

49 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D.A. Kirk and S. Jackson.

50 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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 debate, declare their interest and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.

51 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 September, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

52 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

53 INTERNAL AUDIT STRATEGY - 2008 TO 2013

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer seeking approval to the proposed internal audit strategy for 2008 to 2013 (Item 5 in the Minute Book). The strategy had been updated to ensure that it remained in line with current regulations, professional standards and sector requirements. Whilst the impact on resources is not yet known, it was not expected to have a significant.

    Members expressed concern about the inclusion of `significant partnership' audits within the strategy and whether this might lead to a duplication of work, especially given the recent best value review of partnerships carried out by the Authority. However, they were satisfied that the intention was to ensure transparency in the control and governance arrangements for significant partnerships, and that a different approach to the previous work would be taken.

    RESOLVED:

    That the Committee approves the internal audit strategy for 2008 to 2013.

54 INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT

    The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the current position on the progress of the internal audit plan for 2007/08. The audit work was approximately 45% complete with approximately half the financial year remaining. Whilst some security and password control issues had been raised , these did not relate to network security. In relation to this matter it was noted that the Service is currently seeking `ISO 27001' accreditation for its security procedures.

    RESOLVED:

    That the Committee notes the current progress of internal audit working during 2007/08 and the key issues that have arisen.

55 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) regarding new guidance to be published jointly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountability (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE). The main outcome from this for the governance process would be the need to produce an `Annual Governance Statement' in place of the current `Statement of Internal Control' which would retrospectively take effect from the start of the 2007/08 financial year. Whilst some practical difficulties were highlighted in relation to the first year, in the longer term it was felt that the new guidance would be of use to the Authority in setting out its position in relation to corporate governance expectations..

    Members agreed that the retrospective nature of the guidance was not conducive to the its effective implementation, but understood the need to take a pragmatic approach and undertake the necessary preparatory work.

    RESOLVED:

    (a) That the Committee notes that the Authority's Corporate Governance arrangements will need to be reviewed and updated in the light of new mandatory requirements.

    (b) That the Committee instructs the Clerk to write to the Audit Commission expressing concern about the retrospective nature of the new arrangements and lack of definitive, specific and timely advice for fire and rescue authorities.