The report and appendix are attached.

John Gregory (Grant Thornton) introduced the Audit Risk Assessment, stating that it summarised the Council’s arrangements across a range of areas. It was produced by officers for the attention of the External Auditor. He advised that the item had previously been submitted for the Committee’s attention at the meeting on 25 March 2021. The Committee had proposed some changes which had now been incorporated.

Virginia Rennie (Strategy and Commissioning Manager, Strategic Finance) advised that the Assessment had been updated to reflect estimates and risks relating to projects which had progressed since March 2021, such as Warwickshire Property and Development Group (WPDG). There were no issues of concern to report.

In response to Councillor Gifford, Sarah Duxbury (Assistant Director, Governance and Policy) advised that additional details relating to the handling of two whistleblowing complaints could be provided outside of the meeting. As the Risk Assessment was a public document, it had been determined not to include specific details to maintain the anonymity of those involved. The Chair commented that the existence of two complaints was positive in that it demonstrated awareness of, and confidence in using, the whistleblowing scheme.

In response to Councillor Feeney, Chris Norton (Strategy and Commissioning Manager, Treasury, Pension, Audit & Risk) advised that actuaries had considered the McCloud pensions case and determined that the financial implications for most big employers, which included Warwickshire County Council, were negligible.

Councillor Horner highlighted the potential for the issues raised by the McCloud case to translate more widely across the public sector. He suggested that an awareness of these factors was required; it was not an isolated case.

The Committee approved the highlighted changes incorporated within the updated Audit Risk Assessment.

Resolved:

That the Committee notes the Audit Risk Assessment for 2020/21, including the highlighted changes from the interim submission reported to the Committee in March 2021.