Decisions

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Gary Scott be appointed as Vice Chairman for this Committee for 2022/2023.

The Director of Resources submitted a report informing members of the responses made by management in response to several questions raised by Grant Thornton. The questions covered important areas of the auditor risk assessment where there was a requirement to make inquiries of the Accounts and Audit committee under auditing standards.

Members were informed that the two-way communication assisted both the auditor and the committee in understanding matters relating to the audit and developing a constructive working relationship, as well as the committee fulfilling its responsibilities in relation to the financial reporting process.

The document covered a series of questions to management of the council covering:

·         General Enquiries of Management

·         Fraud

·         Laws and Regulations

·         Related Parties

·         Going concern

·         Accounting Estimates

Committee were asked to consider the responses and whether they were consistent with its undertaking.

Several questions were asked on the issues that had been raised by the external auditors and assurances were given by the officers.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Note and acknowledge the responses made to the Grant Thornton document ‘Informing the audit risk assessment for Ribble Valley Borough Council 2021/22’.

The Director of Resources submitted a report outlining the progress on the internal audit as of June 2022 for consideration and approval by committee.

Since the last meeting of committee, a number of areas had been a key focus, and had received substantial/high/moderate assurances. Priority had been given to performing core system work to enable the annual audit opinion to be reached.

The report also included a summary of internal audit recommendations due for implementation, and where agreed actions had not yet been implemented in line with timescales, discussions would take place with management.

An annual assessment of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit Service was also required to conform with the PSIAS. An initial self-assessment had been undertaken by the Internal Audit Manager but an external assessment would also be required and commissioned.

The report outlined the summary of conformance against the PSIAS based on the initial self-assessment. Seven recommendations had been made; six relating to partial compliance and the one regarding the external assessment that had not taken place in 5 years.

The report also suggested changes to assurance definitions and proposed performance indicators to ensure they meet the Standards and address the risks associated with the control environment.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Note the report and approve the changes in assurance definitions and proposed performance indicators.

The Director of Resources submitted a report presenting the Strategic Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23 to 2024/25 for consideration and approval of committee.

The plan defined the scope and rationale behind each of the individual assignments and the resource requirements to deliver it. It also provided reassurance to the chief executive, s151 officer, senior managers and other stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of controls and management of risk.

Committee were reminded that it was their responsibility to monitor internal audit progress in achieving the Annual Audit Plan, evaluating the effectiveness of internal audit, the use of resources and where necessary recommending adjustments to the plan.

Committee were informed that the anticipated audit resources were considered sufficient to deliver the effective 3-year plan and that in 2022/23 the estimated resource was 656; with 409 days available to undertake the risk-based plan.  It was noted however that this was based on the assumption that the current vacant post in the internal audit section would be successfully recruited to by October 2022.  If this was not the case then it would be necessary to engage other resources.

The plan focussed on the Council’s risk register as this represented their own assessment of the risks to achieving the Corporate Strategy (2019 to 2023). It had been developed through a detailed risk assessment, mandated/core system requirements in compliance with PSIAS and consultations with senior management, directors and heads of service, with formal approval from the Corporate Management Team.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve the Strategic Internal Audit Plan 2022/23 to 2024/25.

RESOLVED:

That Parish Councillor Martin Highton (Whalley) be appointed as Chairman for this Committee for 2022/2023.

RESOLVED that the application be approved for advertisement consent for the amended following development:

Erection of twenty 2500mm x 750mm Aluminium/Composite boards to surround a football pitch on two adjacent sides

Subject to the following conditions:

1.      The permission shall relate to the development as shown on:

Advertisement Location Plan

Site Plan

Board Details

REASON:  For the avoidance of doubt as amended plans have been received and to ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the submitted plans.

2.    The advertisements hereby permitted shall be removed from the site on or before 21st June 2027 and the site restored to its former condition to the full satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority unless a further advertisement consent has been granted by the Authority.

REASON:  In the interests of visual amenity.

3.    Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a safe condition.

REASON:  In the interests of visual amenity.

4.    Where an advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the removal shall be carried out to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. 

REASON:  In the interests of visual amenity.     

5.    No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any road traffic sign, railway signal or aids to navigation by water or air, or so as otherwise to render hazardous the use of any highway, railway, waterway or aerodrome (civil or military).

REASON:  In the interests of visual amenity.

6.    Prior to the installation of the advertisement boards hereby approved the rear of the advertising boards shall be painted dark green and this colour shall be maintained in perpetuity.

REASON:  In the interests of visual amenity of the area and to ensure the advertisement boards blend into the surrounding area.

7.    The advertisement boards hereby permitted shall only be displayed during the football season (August to May inclusive) and shall be removed from site and placed into storage during June and July each calendar year.

REASON:  In the interests of visual amenity and to reduce the impact on the AONB by removing the signage when the pitch is not in use by the football club.

8.    Prior to the erection of the advertisements hereby approved a plan detailing the location of the advertisement boards shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The advertisement boards shall be affixed to the south side of the pitch with the advertisements facing north. Thereafter the boards shall be erected in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: To define the permission and in the interests of the visual amenities of the area

(Councillor S Hore was given permission to speak on the above application)

RESOLVED: That the application be approved subject to the following conditions

Time Scale for Implementation of Consent

1.         The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

REASON: Required to be imposed by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Approved Plans and Documents 

2.         Unless explicitly required by condition within this consent, the development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the proposals as detailed on drawings:

·         22 0468 Floor Plans and Elevations

·         22 0468 Location Plan

·         22 0468 Site Plan

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify which plans are relevant to the consent.

Materials

3.         The materials to be used on the external surfaces of the development as indicated on 22 0468 Floor Plans and Elevations shall be implemented as indicated.

            REASON: In order that the Local Planning Authority may ensure that the materials to be used are appropriate to the locality.     

RESOLVED: That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1.      The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

REASON: Required to be imposed by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.      The permission shall relate to the development as shown on Plan Reference;

Location Plan received 28^th March 2022

Proposed Plan – amended 17^th May 2022

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt as amended plans have been received and to ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the submitted plans.

3.      The materials to be used on the external surfaces of the development as indicated within the approved details shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: In order that the Local Planning Authority may ensure that the materials to be used are appropriate to the locality and respond positively to the inherent character of the area.

4.      The building hereby approved shall be used for agricultural purposes only (as defined in Section 336(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990); in conjunction with the remainder of the holding as identified in the supporting information submitted with the application.

For the avoidance of doubt, should the building at any time cease to be used for this purpose or cease to be part of the holding as defined within the submitted/approved information then the building shall be removed, and the site reinstated to its original condition in accordance with a methodology and timings to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: To define the scope of the permission hereby approved and to ensure that the building is used solely for agricultural purposes connected with the activities/functions associated with the existing holding.

(Terry Longden spoke against the above application)

The Chief Executive submitted a report for committee to consider the appointment of any working groups under the remit of this committee for the municipal year 2022/23.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve the continuance of the Local Development Plan working group with the following membership –

Councillors A Brown, J Clark, R Sherras, J Rogerson, L Edge and S O’Rourke.