The Audit and Governance Committee of Cotswold District Council met on Tuesday 23 July 2024 to review the council's financial performance, governance arrangements, and standards of conduct. Key discussions were scheduled to include the external audit plan, the draft annual governance statement, internal audit's annual opinion, treasury management outturn, and an update on standards and code of conduct complaints.

External Audit Plan 2023/24

The committee was scheduled to receive the 2023/24 Audit Plan from Bishop Fleming, the council's external auditors. The recommendation was for the committee to consider and note this plan.

Draft Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25

A draft Annual Governance Action Plan for 2024/25 was presented for consideration. The plan outlines ten key areas for improvement, including Freedom of Information, the complaints process, new service delivery models, the Council Constitution and Code of Corporate Governance, emergency planning and business continuity, risk management, financial management, procurement, peer review, and legislative changes. Each action is to be rated using a RAG (Red-Amber-Green) system to indicate its progress.

Internal Audit Annual Opinion 2023/24

The committee was set to receive a summary of the work undertaken by Internal Audit during the 2023/24 financial year, along with an overall opinion on the levels of assurance derived from this work. The report indicated a Low Reasonable assurance level for the controls in place within the areas audited. Significant risks were identified in audits concerning Property and Estates, Taxi Licensing Safeguarding, and Climate Change – Operational. The report also detailed the progress on agreed actions, with 14 out of 23 actions from 2023/24 remaining open.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2023/24

Details of the council's treasury management performance for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 were scheduled for discussion. The council operated within its approved treasury limits and prudential indicators. Investment interest for the year generated a net surplus of £0.967m against a budgeted £0.719m, attributed to sustained higher interest rates and higher-than-budgeted surplus cash balances. The council's strategy included diversifying investments into Pooled Funds, which yielded returns of over 4.72%. The report also noted that the council had no requirement to borrow or hold further external debt as of 31 March 2024.

Draft Statement of Accounts

The committee was to consider the published, unaudited draft Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. This statement details the council's financial position as of that date and its performance throughout the year. The Audit and Governance Committee is responsible under the Council's Constitution for the approval of these accounts. The recommendations included noting the draft unaudited Statement of Accounts and highlights from the previous year's statement.

Annual Standards Update

An update on Code of Conduct complaints and the arrangements for dealing with them was scheduled for review. This included an update for the financial years 2022–2023 and 2023–2024. The report highlighted a significant increase in formal complaints received, particularly concerning town and parish councillors, with bullying and harassment being a common theme. The Gloucestershire-wide Code of Conduct, adopted in March 2023, was also discussed, with efforts underway to encourage Town and Parish Councils to adopt it.

Work Plan

The committee was also scheduled to review and note its work plan for the upcoming period.