Agenda

To receive any announcements from the chair and general housekeeping matters.

To record apologies for absence and the attendance of substitute members. 

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Joint Audit and Governance Committee minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2024. 

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

To receive the report from the Deputy Chief Executive – Place.

On 27 June 2024 (South) and 28 June 2024 (Vale) at respective Cabinet meetings, members considered a report on the Review of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership (FOP). It was proposed that the report be shared with the Joint Audit and Governance Committee as part of its role to consider corporate governance matters.

Recommendation:

That the Joint Audit and Governance Committee note the proposed changes to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership and wider devolution proposals and consider any implications that may impact South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council’s ability to deliver effective governance.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance.

To receive the report from the Internal Audit and Risk Manager.

The purpose of this report is to summarise the outcomes of recent internal audit activity at both councils for the committee to review. 

Recommendation:

That members review the results of recent internal audit work and monitor progress of management actions.

To receive the report from the Head of Legal and Democratic.

To outline the inputs and reasoning behind the current Terms of Reference for the Joint Audit and Governance Committee and provide members the opportunity to review it and assess whether it remains fit for purpose.

Recommendation:

To make any recommendations about the updating of the Joint Audit and Governance Committee’s Terms of Reference to the Joint Constitution Review Task Group and each Council for inclusion in the councils’ constitution.

To note the committee’s work programme.

To consider whether to exclude members of the press and public from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended on the grounds that:

(i)     It is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A, and

(ii)    the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To receive the confidential appendix to the Head of Finance’s report.