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 Thursday, 29 November 2018 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.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance 

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

There is circulated Report No. AS/18/18 dated 19 November 2018 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:-

• Development & Infrastructure – Leader Programme 2017/18 (Full Assurance) 
• Community Services – Housing Information System (Substantial Assurance) 
• All Services – Rental Income (follow up) (Reasonable Assurance) 

The Committee is invited to consider the Final Reports referred to in Section 3.1 and note the current work of the Internal Audit Section outlined at Section 4 and the performance information provided at Section 5 to the report.

4. Action Tracking Report            
Aithisg a’ Leantainn Gnìomhachd

There is circulated Report No. AS/19/18 dated 21 November 2018 by the Corporate Audit Manager.

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

5. Code of Corporate Governance    
Còd Riaghladh Corporra

There is circulated Report No. AS/20/18 dated 15 November 2018 by the Head of Corporate Governance. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the progress on delivering the 2017/18 Code of Corporate Governance; and 
ii.   approve the 2018/19 Code of Corporate Governance.

6.  Corporate Complaints Progress     
Adhartas Ghearanan Corporra

There is circulated Report No. AS/21/18 dated 20 November 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise the Council’s 6 month performance for Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints;
ii.   recognise the decrease in the number of complaints received and also that the number of complaints continues to be a low volume within the context of the scale of the Council’s customer base and the scope of services provided; 
iii.  recognise the continued improvement in performance at Stage 1 and  the ongoing work around Stage 2; and
iv.   support officers continued participation in the Local Authority Complaint Handlers Network.

7. Lean Review of Internal Audit Process
Ath-sgrùdadh Lom air In-Sgrùdadh 

There is circulated Report No. AS/22/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources.

The Committee is invited to note the successful completion of the Lean review of the internal audit process which has been conducted by staff in the Audit & Performance Team, Corporate Resources Service.  This has resulted in improved processes which will offer efficiencies in the way the Internal Audit Plan is delivered and benefit staff within the Team and across the Council.

8. Members Survey on the Effectiveness of Audit and Scrutiny Committee
Suirbhidh Bhall mu Èifeachdas na Comataidh Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No. AS/23/18 dated 1 November 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources.

The Committee is invited to consider the key findings of the survey and:-

i.    agree the survey be conducted annually;
ii.   agree to the development of online learning resources for Members on their role in scrutiny; and
iii.  note the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair’s intent to review the role and remit of Committee.
    
9. External Audit Update Report     
Aithisg às Ùr air Sgrùdadh on Taobh A-muigh

There is circulated separately an External Audit update report provided by the Council’s External Auditors (Grant Thornton). 

The Committee is invited to note the terms of the report.