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 non-exempt minutes, attached marked 3, of the Audit and Performance Management Committee meeting, held on 23 April 2015, 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 brings Members up-to-date on training issues and asks them to consider what should be the subject of the next training session.

The External Audit Fee Letter 2015/16, attached marked 6a, sets out details of the 2015/16 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.  The paper also includes a summary of emerging national issues and developments that may be relevant to the Fire Authority and a number of challenge questions in respect of these emerging issues, which the Committee may wish to consider.

This Annual Report, attached marked 7, provides Members with details of the work undertaken by Internal Audit for the year ended 31 March 2015.  It reports on progress against the annual audit plan. It also provides the Head of Audit’s (Audit Service Manager’s) opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation’s framework of governance, risk management and control, as required by the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, which in turn contributes to the review of the effectiveness of the systems of internal control, as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2011 4(2).  

In accordance with a request from the Committee, a copy of the unaudited Statement of Accounts 2014/15 is brought to Members, attached marked 8, for discussion prior to presentation of the final, audited Statement at the September meeting of the Committee.  

This report, attached marked 9, it sets out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2014/15 and AGS Improvement Plan 2015/16 to be included in the Fire Authority’s Statement of Accounts.  It also details progress on the 2014/15 Improvement Plan.

This report, attached marked 10, advises Members of summary details regarding the compliments and complaints received during 2014/15, with comparisons to 2012/13 and 2013/14.

This report, attached marked 11a, presents a summary of the Service's performance for the period April 2015 to June 2015.

In accordance with the request made at the last meeting of the Committee, officers will give a presentation on the following 2015/16 Service Targets:

• All accidental fires will be reduced to not more than 584 fires
• Accidental dwelling fires to be reduced to not more than 236
• Fire-related deaths and injuries in the community will be reduced to not more than 20

This report, attached marked 11c, provides information regarding the ongoing performance and management in terms of availability of wholetime and Retained Duty System appliances in Shropshire.

This report, attached marked 12, provides information on the performance of the Fire Authority controlled company, Shropshire Fire Risk Management Services.  Please note that the appendices to this report contain exempt information and will, therefore, be considered in closed session at item 15.

Members are asked to consider a resolution under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined by the provisions of Part I of Schedule 12(A) to the Act, by virtue of Paragraph 3.

Members are asked to agree the exempt minutes, attached marked 14, of the Audit and Performance Management Committee meeting, held on 23 April 2015, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Committee is asked to receive the following appendices to report 15, which contain exempt information:

15a      First Quarter 2015/16 Financial Statements

15b     Performance Information and Commentary