Meeting Details

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter, in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members are asked to receive any questions, statements or petitions, of which notice has been received, from members of the public.

Members are asked to agree the minutes, attached marked 4, of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee meeting, held on 2 December 2021, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

This report, attached marked 5, asks Members to consider the Terms of Reference of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee, following the annual review conducted by officers.

This report, attached marked 6, asks Members to review the Role Descriptions for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee, the Member Champion for Risk Management and Audit and the Fire Authority’s Independent Person.

This report, attached marked 7a, gives the Committee an opportunity to make comment on the draft Code of Corporate Governance 2021/22, prior to it going forward to the full Fire Authority for consideration and formal adoption.

The Internal Audit Report on Corporate Governance 2021/22 is attached marked 7b.

This report, attached marked 8, provides a summary of Internal Audit’s work over 2021/22.

Members are asked to receive the External Auditor’s Audit Letter, which is attached marked 9b.

This paper, attached marked 9c, sets out an overview of the planned scope and timing of the external audit, as required by International Standard on Auditing (UK & Ireland) 260.9/20

This report, attached marked 9d, contributes towards the effective two-way communication between external auditors and the Standards, Audit and Performance Management Committee, as 'those charged with governance'.  The report covers some important areas of the auditor risk assessment, where external audit is required to make inquiries of the Committee under auditing standards.

This report, attached marked 10, presents the accounting policies to be used in the production of the Fire Authority’s Statement of Accounts 2021/22, for consideration and approval.  The report also states the areas of estimation uncertainty to the Committee, and what is done to mitigate the risks around this uncertainty.

This report, attached marked 11, informs the Committee of a change in provider for Internal Audit Services from 2022/23.

This report, attached marked 12, requests the Committee to recommend that the Fire Authority re-affirm the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy following the annual review conducted by officers.

The Committee has the responsibility to review, and amend as necessary, the Authority’s process for the Reporting of Illegality and Malpractice (Whistleblowing).  Officers will bring this to the July meeting of this Committee for approval, as it requires updating to reflect the change of Internal Audit provider.

This report, attached marked 14, summarises the progress made to date against the improvements contained in the Annual Governance Statement Improvement Plan 2021/22.

This report, attached marked 15, updates Members on the status of risks on the Corporate Risk Register.

This report, attached marked 16, provides an update on the monitoring of recommendations made by Internal Audit, which is undertaken by the Risk Management Group.  It specifically covers details about the progress made against outstanding recommendations.

This report, attached marked 17b, presents the Corporate Performance Indicators for 2022/23 as agreed by the Strategy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 23 March 2022

Whilst not a legal requirement, it is good practice for Members to receive regular updates on Code of Conduct complaints, even if there have been none.  Officers are pleased to report that, during the period 2021/22, the Fire Authority has received no complaints that any of its Members has breached its Code of Conduct.

The Committee is asked to note that Officers have carried out a review of both the Member / Officer Relations Protocol and the Gifts and Hospitality Protocol and currently propose no amendments to them:

This report, attached marked 19, updates the Committee on Member development activity over the past year and proposes training and development activity for the year April 2022 to March 2023.

Members are asked to note the minutes of the Pension Board meeting, held on 10 January 2022, which are attached marked 20.