To receive any disclosures of interest.

None received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Joint Shared Services Committee held on 3 June 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Shared Services Committee held on 3 June 2013 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to ‘Stephen Exton – Finance Manager ‘ being added to the Officers Present.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Shared Services Committee held on 3 June 2013 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to ‘Stephen Exton – Finance Manager ‘ being added to the Officers Present.

To announce items of other business notified to the Secretary of the Joint Committee, together with the special circumstances which justify their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chairman to rule on the admission of such items. (Note: If other confidential business is approved under this item, it will also be necessary to specify the class of exempt or confidential information in the additional item(s)).

(1)     The Chairman ruled that the following report which had not been available for five clear days before the meeting was of sufficient urgency to be considered by the Committee for the reason indicated:

          Items 7 ICT Transition Update

          To protect the Council’s position following the transfer of ICT functions to Capita.

2)      Governance Arrangements

          In reply to a request by the chairman and endorsed by the Committee, the Officers undertook to submit an information report to the next meeting of the Committee on the future Governance arrangements of all Joint and Shared Services.

(1)     The Chairman ruled that the following report which had not been available for five clear days before the meeting was of sufficient urgency to be considered by the Committee for the reason indicated:

          Items 7 ICT Transition Update

          To protect the Council’s position following the transfer of ICT functions to Capita.

2)      Governance Arrangements

          In reply to a request by the chairman and endorsed by the Committee, the Officers undertook to submit an information report to the next meeting of the Committee on the future Governance arrangements of all Joint and Shared Services.

This report allows the Committee to ask questions of the external auditor concerning his ‘Report to those charged with Governance (ISA260)’ and to approve the Statement of Accounts for 2012/13.

RESOLVED –

(1)     that the Committee notes the external auditor’s ‘Report to those charged with Governance’;

(2)     that the Committee confirms that it is satisfied that the accounting policies adopted are the most appropriate; and

(3)     that the Statement of Accounts for 2012/13 be approved subject to the following arrangements;

          Paragraph 4 Revenue Activities – Revenue Out-Turn 2012/13

          Amend ‘£6.65m’ to read ‘£6.74m’

          Paragraph 5.2 Watford Borough Council

          Amend to read

          ‘(3) Welfare Benefit changes and the preparation for Universal Credit needs to ensure no unacceptable impact on the service delivered to benefit recipients’

This report allowed the Committee to ask questions of the external auditor concerning his ‘Report to those charged with Governance (ISA260)’ and to approve the Statement of Accounts for 2012/13.

The Committee:

(a)     Congratulated the officers for closing the accounts by the deadline required.

(b)     Noted that the Council had a policy and procedure concerning Whistleblowing which had been agreed by the Council and which had been communicated to officers through the induction process.

(c)     Amended the wording of paragraph 4 Revenue Accounts £6.65m to read £6.74m paragraph 4, Revenue Activities and paragraph 5.2 Watford Borough Council to read:

          “(3)         Welfare Benefit Changes and the preparation for Universal Credit needs to ensure no unacceptable impact on the service delivery to benefit recipients” in the Statement of Accounts.

RESOLVED –

(1)     that the Committee notes the external auditor’s ‘Report to those charged with Governance’;

(2)     that the Committee confirms that it is satisfied that the accounting policies adopted are the most appropriate; and

(3)     that the Statement of Accounts for 2012/13 be approved subject to the following arrangements;

          Paragraph 4 Revenue Activities – Revenue Out-Turn 2012/13

          Amend ‘£6.65m’ to read ‘£6.74m’

          Paragraph 5.2 Watford Borough Council

          Amend to read

          ‘(3) Welfare Benefit changes and the preparation for Universal Credit needs to ensure no unacceptable impact on the service delivered to benefit recipients’

This report gives performance information for the first quarter of 2013/14.

RESOLVED –

(1)     that the performance reports for the first quarter of 2013/14 be noted.

(2)     that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the review to be carried out by the Director of Finance in respect of the Revenue and Benefits Service.

This report gave performance information for the 1st Quarter of 2013/14.

Officers highlighted the following areas:

(1)     The Head of Personnel reported on new stretch targets for sickness absence at Watford Borough Council; and that 80% of Appraisals had been completed.

(2)     The Head of Finance reported that Creditor payments paid within 30 days had improved and that the target for Closure of Annual Accounts had been met.

(3)     The Director of Finance reported on improved figures in respect of the Revenue and Benefits Service.  Members noted the action being taken to get the change of circumstances benefit applications down to an acceptable level.  The Committee noted that a review of the Service would be undertaken by the Director of Finance.

RESOLVED –

(1)     that the performance reports for the first quarter of 2013/14 be noted.

(2)     that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the review to be carried out by the Director of Finance in respect of the Revenue and Benefits Service.

This report provides an update on the ICT Service Provision.

RESOLVED –

(1)     that the report be noted.

(2)     that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the separation of duties between ICT Client Managers.

This report provided an update on the ICT Service Provision.

Members asked for information on the separation of duties between ICT Client Managers.

RESOLVED –

(1)     that the report be noted.

(2)     that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the separation of duties between ICT Client Managers.

This report gives an update on the Revenues and Benefits service.

RESOLVED –

that the contents of the report are noted.

This report gave an update on the Revenues and Benefits service.

RESOLVED –

that the contents of the report are noted.