Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Capewell.

There were no declarations of interest given at the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October 2023 were confirmed.

There were no matters arising from the above minutes.

The Committee received and considered the Work Programme for 2023/2024.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee noted the Work Programme for 2023/2024.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Head of Internal Audit.

The Head of Internal Audit reported progress made between 1 July 2023 to 30 November 2023 in relation to the delivery of the Annual Internal Audit Plan for 2023/24. The report also provided an update on the implementation of internal audit recommendations.

Councillor Wainwright asked for clarification in regard to the outstanding recommendations, especially GY2222 and asked if officers were co-operating and if it would be possible for Officers to attend the Committee to explain the delays.

Teresa Sharman advised that there would be a follow-up in Q4.

The Executive Director – Resources advised that the Director of Housing Assets was working to get the recommendations implemented. There were capacity issues but the number of outstanding recommendations was not acceptable. She added that she would be happy to give updates on recommendations that she was dealing with.

The Executive Director – Resources also commented that the definition of priority had been discussed in ELT and queried what made a priority urgent as the definition seemed to be very broad. She further questioned whether the timescales given were achievable and that there needs to be a dialogue ahead of signing up to a timescale to ensure that the date given is practicable.

Councillor Newcombe noted that multiple documents for GY2302 could not be obtained and queried what procedure was in place to maintain records.

Teresa Sharman advised that there should be a retention policy in place and that processes need to be developed to ensure correct procurement rules were applied.

The Executive Director – Resources advised that procurement support would be moving away from Breckland.

Councillor Wainwright queried the procurement procedures of the GY Beach Huts and asked when the matter would be brought to the committee.

Teresa Sharman advised that there wouldn’t be a procurement audit this year but the auditors could be requested to look into the matter.

Councillor Wainwright commented that it would be good to get a final report on the matter.

The Executive Director – Resources advised that she would discuss the matter with the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Wainwright also commented on GY2417 Sport and Leisure. A meeting was due to be held where the issue of no signed contracts with Freedom Leisure would be discussed.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee receives the progress update relating to the Internal Audit Plan for 2023/24 and receives the update on the Council’s implementation of internal audit recommendations.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Corporate Risk Officer.

The Corporate Risk Officer reported that the Corporate Risk Register was last reviewed by Executive Leadership Team in November 2023.

The risk matrix showed how the risks identified in the Corporate Risk Register were distributed. There were currently 29 risks included on the Corporate Risk Register. The risks considered to be outside the Councils risk appetite had action plans in place to mitigate or reduce the risk. The risks that fell within the risk appetite or were deemed acceptable risks, have action plans in place to reduce the risk further.

Since presenting the Corporate Risk Register to the Audit and Risk Committee in July 2023, two new risks have been added to the register as follows:-

27b – Confidential Risk

29 – Failure of RAAC elements within properties

 The risk rating for two risks has increased:

 12b – Capacity and Resilience of the Control Centre

17 - BT upgrade network from analogue to digital by 31st December 2025

 The risk rating for two risks have decreased:

 25a –Equinox Enterprises Limited and Equinox Property Holdings Limited

25b – Great Yarmouth Services Limited

 RESOLVED:-

That the Committee review the Corporate Risk Register.

The Chairman reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration at the meeting.