Scrutiny Committee - 27/09/2017

At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th September, 2017.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th June, 2017 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Hunter and McCready and the Executive Director of Corporate Services declared a non‑financial interest in Article III by virtue of being Council representatives on Leisure & Culture Dundee.

II EDUCATION SCOTLAND INSPECTION OF ROWANTREE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted Report No 312-2017 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service reporting the findings of the Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate Inspection of Rowantree Primary School and Nursery Class.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report; and

(ii) instructed the Chief Education Officer to monitor progress towards meeting the areas for improvement contained in the report.

III INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

There was submitted Report No 307-2017 by the Senior Manager - Internal Audit providing elected members with a summary of the internal audit reports finalised since the last meeting of this Committee.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

IV INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS - SUMMARY PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

There was submitted Report No 308-2017 by the Senior Manager - Internal Audit providing the Committee with an update on the progress in implementing internal audit recommendations previously reported to and agreed by Management.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

V CORPORATE FRAUD TEAM ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING NATIONAL FRAUD INITIATIVE (NFI)

There was submitted Report No 309-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services informing elected members on the Corporate Fraud Teams activity and performance for the twelve month period to 31st March, 2017.

The Committee noted the content of the Corporate Fraud Teams Activity and Performance Report, including the latest NFI results at Appendix 1 and 2 of the report.

VI LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SCOTLAND PERFORMANCE AND CHALLENGES 2017

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 21st August, 2017, there was submitted Report No 272-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the above national report undertaken by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission.

The Committee:-

(i)                            noted the key messages arising from the Audit Scotland report; and

(ii)                           noted the action points for elected members arising from the Audit Scotland report.

VII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2016/2017 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

(a) DRAFT AUDIT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

(i)                            Dundee City Council

The above report was submitted and noted. (Report No 325-2017).

(ii)                           Dundee City Council Charitable Trusts

The above report was submitted and noted. (Report No 326-2017).

(iii) Lord Provost of Dundee Charity Fund

The above report was submitted and noted. (Report No 327-2017).

(b) EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT

The above report was submitted and noted. (Report No 328-2017).

(c) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2016/2017 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT - RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT

There was submitted Report No 329-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services on the outcome of the external audit of Dundee City Council for the year to 31st March, 2017.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the draft External Auditors report including the completed action plan at Appendix 1 of the report and, in particular, that Audit Scotland had indicated they would issue an unqualified audit opinion on each of the 2016/2017 Annual Accounts noted above;

(ii) endorsed the report as the Councils formal response to the External Auditors report;

(iii) approved that each of the Audited Annual Accounts noted above be signed as necessary;

(iv) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services to arrange for each of the Audited Annual Accounts noted above to be signed and then returned to the External Auditor;

(v) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services thereafter to arrange for the above Annual Accounts, including copies of all audited certificates and accounts of the Councils subsidiary bodies to be published on the Councils website by no later than 31st October, 2017; and

(vi) noted that the External Auditors report would also be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee in due course, together with each of the Audited Annual Accounts noted above.

VIII TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS 2016/2017

(a) DRAFT AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS 2016/2017

The above report was submitted and noted. (Report No 322-2017).

(b) EXTERNAL AUDITORS ANNUAL REPORT

The above report was submitted and noted. (Report No 323-2017)

(c) TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS 2016/2017 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

There was submitted Report No 324-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services on the outcome of the external audit of Tayside Pension Funds for the year to 31st March, 2017.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the External Auditors annual report, in particular, that Audit Scotland anticipated issuing an unqualified audit opinion;

(ii) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services to arrange for the Audited Statement of Accounts to be signed as necessary; and

(iii) noted that the External Auditors report to members would be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee and the Pension Sub-Committee and Pension Board in due course, together with the Audited Statement of Accounts.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.