The meeting was scheduled to discuss the City Council's finances, performance, fraud prevention and control framework, and policies for tackling fraud. Topics included the performance of the Council against its key performance indicators, a review of the Council's financial position, a review of the Treasury Management Strategy, the approval of changes to the Council's counter-fraud policies and consideration of reports on Internal Audit progress and the Counter Fraud Service.

Temporary Accommodation

A report on Temporary Accommodation (TA) was scheduled to be received by the Committee. The report highlighted the challenges of the unprecedented increase in demand for TA, and the budgetary risks the Council faces in meeting its statutory duties to provide it.

Complaints

The Committee was scheduled to receive the Council's Annual Complaints Report. The report showed an increase of 27 percent in stage 2 complaints, and that a significant backlog of complaints had formed. This was partly due to a significant increase in the volume of complaints, but also to delays in returning information to residents, and to delays in getting director sign-off on responses.

Accounts and Audit Findings Reports

The Committee was scheduled to receive and note both the Council's and the Pension Fund's accounts for 2023/24, and to review their accompanying Audit Findings Reports. The Council's accounts are expected to receive an unmodified (i.e. unqualified) opinion.

External Auditor's Annual Report

The Committee was scheduled to receive and note the external auditor's annual Value for Money report, which provides a positive assessment of the Council's performance.

2024/25 Work Programme

The Committee was scheduled to review its Work Programme for the 2024/25 municipal year. The Work Programme is a list of the topics that the Committee is scheduled to discuss at its meetings. The Committee was scheduled to agree the agenda items for its next meeting on 11 March 2025 and to consider items for inclusion in the Work Programmes for 2024/25 and 2025/26. The report noted that there are currently no Task Groups operating.

Quarterly Performance Report

The Committee was scheduled to receive a report on the Council's performance in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. The report showed that the Council is performing well against the targets set at the start of the financial year, with 68 (64%) of the Council's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on track to meet targets, 26 (25%) missing targets by a small margin, 5 (5%) off track to meet targets and 7 (6%) having no target. The report included sections on the risks to the Council's performance, on its strategic risks, and on the performance of each of the Council's directorates.

Quarterly Finance Monitor

The Committee was scheduled to consider a report that provides an overview of the Council's financial position for the second quarter of 2024/25.

Treasury Management Strategy Mid-Year Review

The Committee was scheduled to review the Council's Treasury Management Strategy Mid-Year Review 2024-25. Treasury Management is the management of the Council's cash flow and borrowing. It includes investing surplus cash balances to generate income, and managing the Council's borrowing to ensure that it can fund its capital programme. The report is a review of how the Strategy is being implemented and allows for any changes to be made depending on market conditions. The report shows that the Council complied with all elements of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and that, as at 30 September 2024, the net cash position was £244.1m. The report also shows that the Council has complied with all of its Prudential Indicators. Prudential Indicators are a set of measures that are used to assess the affordability of the Council's capital programme.

Internal Audit Progress Report

The Committee was scheduled to consider the Internal Audit Progress Report for 2024/25. Internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation's operations. It helps an organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. The report summarised the status of the work included in the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan as at the end of October 2024. The report showed that four audits issued as draft reports at the time of the last report to the Committee (July 2024), have now been finalised, and five draft reports have also been issued. The report noted that although no overall opinion is given at this time on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s governance, risk management and controls, the Committee can be assured that sufficient internal audit work is planned to ensure an appropriate assurance opinion can be provided by the end of the financial year.

Mid-Year Counter Fraud Report

The Committee was scheduled to receive the Mid-Year Counter Fraud Report which is intended to brief members of the Committee on work undertaken by the fraud service between 1 April 2024 and 30 September 2024. The report shows that for that period the Corporate Anti-Fraud Service (CAFS) identified 55 positive outcomes and that the fraud identified has a notional value of over £410,000. The report also notes that since April 2024, CAFS has yet to receive any whistleblowing referrals.

Counter Fraud Policy Review

The Committee was asked to review and approve three revised counter fraud policies: the Fraud Response Plan, the Anti-Bribery Policy and the Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Fraud Response Plan is intended to enable the Council to prevent the loss of public money, recover losses, and secure evidence necessary for any further action in cases of fraud. The Anti-Bribery Policy sets out the Council's zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and the Anti-Money Laundering Policy aims to maintain high standards of conduct within the Council by preventing criminal activity through money laundering.