Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Monday, 26 June 2017 at 10.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Please note that as part of Members’ induction there will be an introduction to Members’ scrutiny role by the Council’s External Auditors (Grant Thornton).  This will take place following the conclusion of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee and Joanne Brown, Director, Grant Thornton will be in attendance to deliver the presentation and answer questions.   

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive/
Director of Corporate Development 
 
Business 

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 9 March 2017 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

4. Internal Audit Reviews and Progress Report    
Ath-bhreithneachaidhean In-sgrùdaidh agus Aithisg Adhartais

There is circulated Report No. AS/8/17 dated 15 June 2017 by the Corporate Audit Manager which summarises the final reports issued since the date of the last meeting, together with details of work in progress and other information relevant to the operation of the Internal Audit Section as follows:-

• Community Services - Review of the arrangements for the procurement and payment of homelessness services (Limited Assurance) 
• Development and Infrastructure - Compliance with the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme 2015-16 (Limited Assurance) 
• Development and Infrastructure - Planning and Building Control Fees and Charges (Reasonable Assurance) 
• Care and Learning - Review of Financial Procedures in Schools (Reasonable Assurance) 

The Committee is invited to consider the Final Reports referred to in Section 3.1 to the report and note the current work of the Internal Audit Section.

5. Action Tracking Report    
Aithisg a’ Leantainn Gnìomhachd

There is circulated Report No. AS/9/17 dated 14 June 2017 by the Corporate Audit Manager.

The Committee is invited to note the action tracking information provided including the revised target dates for the completion of outstanding actions.

6. Internal Audit Annual Report 2016/17             
Aithisg Bhliadhnail In-Sgrùdaidh 2016/17

There is circulated Report No. AS/10/17 dated 16 June 2017 by the Corporate Audit Manager.

The Committee is invited to note the content of the report, the audit opinion provided and to raise any relevant points with the Corporate Audit Manager.

7. Corporate Complaints Process Report      
Aithisg Ghearanan Corporra

There is circulated Report No. AS/11/17 dated 15 June 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   scrutinise the Council’s annual performance for Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints;
ii.  consider the LEAN review of the Corporate Complaints process that is being undertaken by the Corporate Improvement Team (CIT);
iii.  agree a revised corporate target for resolving customer complaints of 70% for Stage 1 and Stage 2 within 5 and 20 working days respectively; and
iv.  recognise that the number of complaints received is a low volume considering the scale of the Councils customer base and the scope of services provided.

8.Scottish Public Service Ombudsman Cases Received by the Council – Update Report    
Cùisean Ombudsman Sheirbheisean Poblach na h-Alba a Fhuaireadh leis a’ Chomhairle – Aithisg as Ùr

There is circulated Report No. AS/12/17 dated 13 June 2017 by the Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to consider the outcomes of the SPSO cases and the actions that have been taken in response to the Ombudsman’s recommendations.