Meeting Details

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion of, 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 agree the minutes, attached marked 3, of the Audit and Performance Management Committee meeting, held on 21 April 2016, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record. 

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

This report, attached marked 5, brings the latest version of the Committee’s constitution to the notice of its Members.  It also asks Members to decide how to proceed with the process for self-assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Committee.

The External Audit Fee Letter 2016/17, attached marked 6a, sets out details of the 2016/17 audit fee for the Authority, along with the scope and timing of External Audit’s work and details of their team.

This paper, attached marked 6b, reports on Grant Thornton’s progress in delivering their responsibilities as external auditors.  It includes reference to a document ‘Health and Safety in the Fire and Rescue Service – Embedding Lessons Learned’, produced  jointly by the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisors in England & Wales, HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive, with the full support and involvement of the Chief Fire Officers Association.

An electronic copy of the document can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.cfoa.org.uk/20752

and asks the challenge question:

‘Are members aware of this publication and are officers responding appropriately to the learning in this document?’.

This report, attached marked 7, presents the unaudited Statement of Accounts to the Committee, for discussion prior to presentation of the final, audited Statement at the September meeting of the Committee.

As the Statement is over 80 pages long, a hard copy has not been provided but it can be accessed on the Service’s website via the following link:

https://www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/meeting/7-july-2016

A paper copy will be made available upon request.

This report, attached marked 8, sets out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2015/16 and AGS Improvement Plan 2016/17 to be included in the Fire Authority's Statement of Accounts.  It also details progress on the 2015/16 Improvement Plan.

This report, attached marked 9, is the latest of regular risk summary reports, to the Audit and Performance Management Committee. The report covers progress since the last update in April 2016.

This report, attached marked 10, 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 11, advises Members of summary details regarding the compliments and complaints received during 2015/16, with comparisons to 2013/14 and 2014/15.

This report, attached marked 12a, presents a summary of the Service’s performance from April to June 2016.

Over the last year, in response to a request from the Committee, officers have given presentations on one or more of the Service Targets at each meeting.  Members are asked to consider whether they wish this practice to continue over the coming year.  

This report, attached marked 12c, provides information regarding the ongoing performance and management in terms of availability of wholetime and Retained Duty System appliances in Shropshire.