Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Jeffrey Room, The Guildhall, St. Giles Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE. View directions

Contact: Email: democraticservices@northampton.gov.uk  01604 837722

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Conroy.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd September 2013 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a true record.

3.

Deputations / Public Addresses

Minutes:

There were none.

4.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were none.

5.

Matters of Urgency which by reason of special circumstances the chair is of the opinion should be considered

5a

Treasury Management Mid-year Report 2013/14 pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Presented By: Bev Dixon LGSS 363719

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Bev Dixon Finance Manager LGSS presented a report that had been circulated prior to the meeting, and tabled a paper which documented further changes to it.  This item was considered at this meeting in advance of it being presented to Cabinet on 11th November.  She confirmed that interest rates had dropped which has an adverse impact on investment returns and an example of this was highlighted in the report.  There were no signs that the interest rates would increase in the future.

 

She advised that there were no variations to the policy and practise in the year.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Golby, the Finance Manager confirmed that other not for profit organisations would be able to deposit funds with the council as Billing Parish Council had, subject to Chief Finance Officer approval, but there was no guarantee that the rates applied would offer best available to them.

 

AGREED:  That the report be noted.

6.

Financial Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Presented By: N Bellamy, External Auditor (Audit Commission)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Assistant Head of Finance submitted the above report, which provided an update on the progress of the Council’s finances to the end of August 2013. 

 

Councillor Larratt requested a detailed report on Call Care incorporating an updated business plan at the next meeting.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Golby, the Head of Finance confirmed that the car parking figures for period 5 were forecast by the service until the end of the year, based on the information received to that date by the service.

 

Councillor Larratt noted that the usage of the car parks in June matched last years figures  when a lot of events were taking place, i.e. the Olympic Torch. This was a sign that use had generally increased which was good for the town.  He requested that the reference to GOEM in the General Fund Capital report project BK044 be updated to the correct reference.

 

AGREED: 

1)    A detailed report on Call Care incorporating an updated business plan is brought to the next meeting.

2)    That the report be noted.

7.

Internal Audit Progress Report pdf icon PDF 93 KB

(Copy herewith)    Page ..............................

Presented By: C Dickens, Internal Auditor (PWC)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Chris Dickens PwC presented the Internal Audit progress report and elaborated thereon.  He confirmed that there were still further discussions on shared services, responsibility and accountability to be had.  Four audit reports had been finalised since the previous meeting and in each case there was a low risk rating and the controls which had been put in place were operating satisfactorily.

 

He confirmed that he would provide further detailed information on the council tax discounts which were available.

 

Additional audit work in relation to empty homes had commenced and a report had been produced in relation to the Decent Homes Backlog Funding Grant.

 

AGREED:  That the report be noted.