Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th March 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 18^th March 2024 were agreed and signed as a true record.

Further to minute 57/23 headed ‘Internal Audit Recommendation Tracking Report’, the Chief Internal Auditor confirmed that a report with further details on the outcome of the EQA self-assessment would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

To consider whether to exclude the press and public for the private item of business for the reasons shown in the report.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Procurement Committee agrees to exclude the press and public under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to the private report in Minute 67 below headed ‘Consideration of Approval of Severance Packages’, on the grounds that the item involves the likely disclosure of information defined in Paragraph 1, 2 and 3  of Schedule 12A of the Act, as its contains information relating to individuals, the financial and business affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information relating to labour relations matters and that, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Director of Law and Governance

The Audit and Procurement Committee considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance that identified issues on which a further report/information had been requested or was outstanding so that the Committee were aware of them and could manage their progress.

Appendix 1 to the report provided details of issues where a report had been requested to a meeting along with the anticipated date for consideration of the issue.

Appendix 2 of the report provided details of items where information had been requested outside formal meetings along with the date these had been completed. The Committee noted that the action relating to the first item listed in the Appendix had now been actioned and this matter could be discharged.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Procurement Committee notes the Outstanding Issues report and the action taken to discharge matters, which could now be removed from the report. 

Report of the Director of Law and Governance

The Audit and Procurement Committee considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance that detailed the Work Programme of scheduled issues to be considered by the Committee during the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

The Committee were informed that in respect of the outstanding reports of the External Auditor (Grant Thornton) listed under ‘Date to be confirmed’ on the Work Programme, Members would be briefed on the matter at the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Procurement Committee notes the Work Programme for 2024/2025.

There were no other items of public business.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial and the Director of Human Resources

(Listing officers: A Walster, Andrew.walster@coventry.gov.uk and S Newing, Susanna.newing@coventry.gov.uk)

The Audit and Procurement Committee considered a private report of the Director of City Services and Commercial and the Director of Human Resources that sought approval of severance packages for employees’ retirements which had occurred due to changes in the waste collection service and review of facility time for trade union representatives.

Part 2I of the Council’s constitution required that any severance package for an employee of the Council which exceeds £100,000 should be determined by the Audit and Procurement Committee. The calculation of the value of an exit package included the costs to the Authority, as well as payments / benefits to the employee.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Procurement Committee approves the severance payments on early retirements as calculated.

There were no other items of private business.