Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Stephens

To enable Members to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 November 2021.

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed

Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting.

No deputation requests had been received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements on this occasion.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor which asks the Committee to approve the Internal Audit Charter and Internal Audit Plan

The Standards and Governance Committee considered a report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding the Internal Audit Charter and Internal Audit Plan

The statutory requirements relating to internal audit and to the Charter were highlighted and it was noted that the Plan was derived from the Charter. Attention was drawn to the updated appendix, which contained adjustments relating to the timescales.

Members were particularly interested in the approach to internal audit and noted that its focus was risk based. Therefore the work changed and adapted to the business in order to be able to give assurance in the most appropriate areas.

The recommendations in the report were considered and it was:

RESOLVED

That the Internal Audit Charter and Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23 be approved by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority Standards and Governance Committee.

To receive a report of the Chief Internal Auditor updating the Committee on the progress of internal audit work

The Standards and Governance Committee considered a report of the Chief Internal Auditor updating the Committee on the progress of internal audit work.

The report was introduced and it was noted that the limited finding on the prevention referral pathway audit would be addressed in the management actions progress report (Minute 37 refers).

The Committee discussed the impact of the pandemic on internal audit and it was confirmed that in general it had been possible to cover staff absence. Changes to timescales in the internal audit plan were due to staff capacity and prioritisation.

The recommendations in the report were considered and it was

RESOLVED:

That the progress in delivering the internal audit plan for 2021/22 and the outcomes to date be noted by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority Standards and Governance Committee.

To consider a report of the Chief Fire Officer on the progress made towards the implementation of internal audit management actions

The Standards and Governance Committee considered a report of the Chief Fire Officer on the progress made towards the implementation of internal audit management actions.

An update on the progress and conclusion of various audits was presented with reference to the report. The limited finding in relation to the prevention referral pathway audit was highlighted and it was noted that 19 actions had been identified, or which 11 were already complete and the remainder were due to be complete by the end of March.

The expenses and allowances amnesty was discussed and it was noted that the scale was relatively low, consisting mostly of allowances that had continued in error and therefore had no tax implications. There was no evidence of expenses being claimed without entitlement. It was confirmed that following the amnesty, repayment arrangements would be put in place for similar situations.

The recommendations in the report were considered and it was

RESOVLED

That Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority Standards and Governance Committee notes the progress made towards the implementation of the internal audit management actions and the delivery of the audit plan.