minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 March 2014 (Minute Nos. 660 - 670) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

annual governance statement

The Head of Finance introduced the Annual Governance Statement and advised that it was a requirement that the Audit Committee agreed the Statement, prior to it being signed-off by the Leader and Chief Executive. The Head of Finance particularly brought Members' attention to the points under part 5.2 of the report, namely Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration; 2015/16 Budget; and risk management in major contracts and partnerships.

In response to a question, the Head of Finance agreed to provide further breakdown under part 3.15 for procurement, financing items and efficiency savings. He also agreed to provide an update on the figures listed under 3.26 of the report.

Head of Finance

fee letter 2014/15

Mr Trevor Greenlee (Grant Thornton) outlined the Fee Letter for 2014/15. He advised that the current fee was under a five-year contract, set at £80,085.

internal audit annual report 2013/14

The Head of Audit Partnership introduced the Internal Audit Annual Report 2013/14 which informed the Committee of the Head of Audit Partnership's annual internal audit opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation's framework of governance, risk management and control, used to inform the Annual Governance Statement.

The Audit Manager explained that there were some minor changes to the report this year; this included the follow-up and implementation of recommendations 2013/14; this was the first time this information had been collated for the report.

The Audit Manager considered the report presented a positive outlook.

In response to a question on whether the Partnership arrangements were working well, the Corporate Services Director explained that there was a substantial level of assurance and positive engagement within the Partnership, and it had been an exemplar.

audit committee annual report

The Head of Audit Partnership introduced the report which set out how the Audit Committee effectively discharged its duties during 2013/14. He brought Members' attention to the tabled foreword by the Chairman of the Audit Committee 2013/14.

internal audit 2014/15 reporting refresh

The Head of Audit Partnership introduced the report which set out revisions to the internal audit approach for 2014/15 arising from responses to the recent IIA review and a desire to review and refresh a process which had not been examined for some years. He explained that Appendix IV in the report set out the Mid-Kent Audit Projects which he considered demonstrated some of the benefits of working across the Partnership, with a wider pool of staff offering resilience and identifying staff specialist expertise.

benefit fraud annual report 2013/14 - activity and outcomes

The Investigating Supervisor, Benefits, introduced the report which set out a summary of activities and outcomes undertaken during 2013/14 by Swale Benefits Investigation Team in conjunction with their partners from The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Fraud Investigation Service under the banner of 'One Customer One Team'.

The Investigating Officer explained that the proposed shared service between Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells would help to provide resilience. He advised that he would provide a further report prior to implementation of the Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) to look at the implications on staffing levels.

In response to a question, the Investigating Officer advised that the DWP would take responsibility for fraud cases after the introduction of SFIS. He explained that although the DWP would have responsibility for housing benefit, they would not have access to the data. Council Tax support would not be investigated by DWP staff; however Council Tax benefit would be, as it was a benefit.

Members discussed Swale's portfolio of 10-month residency holiday homes, with the potential to present fraud issues, and a Member considered referring cases to the DWP would not necessarily save money.

The Investigating Supervisor explained the residents on holiday parks were unable to claim housing benefit in the closed season, so there should not be a problem with fraud.

work programme