Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from the following:

Cllr Laban who was substituted by Cllr Smith

Cllr Rye, OBE who was substituted by Cllr Grumi

Cllr Ali who was substituted by Cllr Adeleke

The Chair agreed a change of running order to the agenda. The minutes follow the order of the agenda.

Members of the committee are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

In relation to Item 5 – Schools Internal Audit Report the following declarations were made:

Cllr Grumi declared that he was a Governor at Laurel Park School, Palmers Green and Southgate.

Cllr Ozaydin declared that he had an interest in Worcesters Primary School.

(TO FOLLOW)

AGREED minutes of the General Purpose meetings held on 28th June 2023 and 26^th July 2023 respectively.

To note the progress made on the 2023-24 Internal Audit Plan.

Members were asked to note the Audit and Risk Management Service progress update which summarised the results of work undertaken to 31 August 2023.

Members queried one of the grants issued as part of the Household Support Fund and Holiday & Food Grant.  The Director of Law & Governance would be providing a response shortly.

In relation to the item on Bridgewood House, an update on the progress rate of overdue actions in the Financial Management were provided.

Members were informed that work was continuing with finance to understand the discrepancies which are complicated and go backs years.  Reconciliation processes are now in place and embedded. Fraud does not seem to be the issue.

Members discussed the Audit Action Plan and the Head of Internal Audit & Risk Management agreed the check the points made, and report back to members.

AGREED to note the report.

To note the contents on the Annual School Audit Report 2022-23.

Members received the report which provided the findings from school audits undertaken in 2022-23 which will be shared with Headteachers and Governors at the start of the new academic year.

The main themes and key exceptions identified during the 2022-23 audits were detailed in the report. Governing Bodies are recommended to review this table against current practices in their schools to ensure, compliance.

In response to Members questions the committee were informed that improvements could be made with better training for Governors and that it is a national problem. Training is offered by the council on data protection/cyber security.

The Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management agreed to report back to committee on the uptake of training for schools on cyber security.

AGREED to note the report.

To note the Annual Complaints Report 2022/23, the actions proposed for improvement, and the findings from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s and the Housing Ombudsman Service annual letter.

The Committee received the report which provided the outcome of the annual; review of the Council’s corporate complaints received during 2022/23. Members were asked to note the actions proposed for improvement and the findings from the Housing and Social Care Ombudsman’s annual letter.

The Committee noted improvement actions are having an impact and good progress is being made but were of the view that results were still poor.

The Director of Customer and Communications acknowledged there remains scope for improvement.

The Board were interested in understanding more about Council Housing complaints and it was suggested that the Director of Housing & regeneration could be invited to a future meeting.

The committee requested that the following information from the Director of Customer and Communications Director should be provided:

·        Figure paid out in compensation by LBE in final stages complaints.

·        Indicative figures for the number of complaints quarterly for 23/24 quarters 1 & 2 for the highest 3 service areas: council tax, council housing and waste services, is to be provided separately to the Committee.

·        To ascertain the nature of complaints re Planning & Development escalated to the Ombudsman and provide separately to the Committee.

AGREED to note the report.

To seek approval to the list of proposed new polling buildings/locations to be designated as polling stations.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Electoral Services, to seek approval to the proposed new polling/locations to be designated as polling stations in preparation for any snap elections after November 1st.

The risk assessments review identified changes required to the current polling scheme. There were five recommendations proposed to the wards affected, Arnos Grove, Enfield Lock, Lower Edmonton, New Southgate, Bowes Park, Ridgeway, Southbury, Grange Park and Enfield Town.

Members were informed of the reasons for the proposed changes to each ward highlighting key issues.

AGREED the recommendations in the report.

To note the progress made on the member induction and member development programme attached at appendix A.

AGREED that the report be noted.

A verbal update will be provided by Kevin Bartle, Interim Director of Finance.

The Interim Director of Finance introduced the item with confirmation BDO were unable to join the meeting to produce their audit report on the Council’s 2019/20 accounts as they had additional work with the NHS audits.

BDO have advised work will commence week beginning 30 October on the proviso they finish their NHS audit work first. The new completion date of 20th November is achievable.

The Key audit partner is retiring 30th November so there is no room for movement.

Should the audit work be completed in line with these dates, an additional GPC meeting date would be required so the audit report can be presented, and the accounts and audit signed off.

The situation has been reported to the PSAA and the FRC, Neil Harris, the FRC’s national lead on dealing with the back log of audits country wide, has advised they will be monitoring the situation closely and specifically whether the new proposed date for completion will be achieved.

The Chair and Members expressed their displeasure and disappointment.

Members requested written reassurance that the accounts will be signed off.

AGREED that: The Committee expressed deep disappointment and do not currently agree with the proposed additional meeting.

To note the next meeting of the General Purposes Committee is scheduled to take place at 7pm on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

NOTED the future meeting dates