Minutes of a meeting of the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee
Held in the Council Chamber, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
On Tuesday 25 May 2021, commencing at 9.03a.m.
Present: Mr J Peters (Chairperson), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Councillors J Edgar, R Sanson and Mr J Murray
In Attendance: Chief Executive (P Dougherty), Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis), Group Manager Environmental Management (C Barton), Group Manager Corporate Services (N Harrison), Group Manager Strategy and Communications (N McDonald), Governance Adviser (E Stephenson) and Governance Support (P Boutle)
Apology: Councillor Lawrey
1. Apologies
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 1. Receives and accepts an apology from Councillor Lawrey. |
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
There was no change to the order of business.
There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.
There was no public forum.
5.1 23 February 2021
Document number M15441, agenda pages 9 - 16 refer.
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee , held on 23 February 2021, as a true and correct record. |
Document number R25884, agenda pages 17 - 18 refer.
The Chairperson spoke to his report, noting the future challenges and uncertainty relating to the central government review of local government. He acknowledged the decision to appoint an iwi representative to the Subcommittee, which he welcomed.
It was also noted that the repeal of the Resource Management Act and the associated legislation that would change as a result, would impact the organisation and the need for best practice change management implementation was highlighted.
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 1. Receives the report Chairperson's Report.
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7. Audit NZ: Audit Plan for year ending 30 June 2021
Document number R24802, agenda pages 19 - 51 refer.
Group Manager Corporate Services, Nikki Harrison, clarified the Annual Report process.
Audit NZ Appointed Auditor, John Mackey, attended via Zoom. He explained the Audit opinion process and scope.
8. Health Safety and Wellbeing Report, January - March 2021
Document number R23731, agenda pages 52 - 68 refer.
Health and Safety Adviser, Malcolm Hughes, provided an update on matters included in the Health Safety and Wellbeing report and answered questions.
Chief Executive, Pat Dougherty, noted that the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee was the main mechanism for health and safety issues, however, if an issue required governance attention, it would go to the relevant Committee or Subcommittee.
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 1. Receives the report Health Safety and Wellbeing Report, January - March 2021 (R23731) and its attachment (A2621469).
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9. Key Organisational Risks Report - 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021
Document number R23745, agenda pages 69 - 106 refer.
Manager Business Improvement, Arlene Akhlaq, and Audit and Risk Analysist, Chris Logan, spoke to the report.
Discussion took place on regarding the need for wide thinking about setting residual risk targets.
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 1. Receives the report Key Organisational Risks Report - 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021 (R23745) and its attachment (A2587873).
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The meeting was adjourned from 10.48a.m. until 11.01a.m.
10. Internal Audit - Quarterly Progress Report to 31 March 2021
Document number R23746, agenda pages 107 - 119 refer.
Manager Business Improvement, Arlene Akhlaq and Risk Analysist, Chris Logan, answered questions regarding the internal audit progress.
Ms Akhlaq confirmed the risk management maturity self-assessment had been completed during 2020 and the Subcommittee requested a report following the next risk management maturity assessment.
11. Draft Annual Internal Audit Plan for year to 30 June 2022
Document number R24781, agenda pages 120 - 126 refer.
Manager Business Improvement, Arlene Akhlaq, and Audit and Risk Analysist, Chris Logan, answered questions regarding choice of audit topics, contract review and renewal dates and the central contracts register.
12. Draft Treasury Management Policy including Liability Management and Investment Policies
Document number R24767, agenda pages 127 - 166 refer.
Group Manager, Nikki Harrison, explained the policy changes and rationale. She answered questions regarding the Nelmac services, policy review, landfill monitoring and reporting, constraints of the Treasury Policy in relation to bidding in the Emissions Trading Scheme Auction, natural hazards including climate change risks and forestry. It was noted that the Carbon Risk Management Strategy, which was specific to the Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Busines Unit (NTRLBU), would be reported to the next NTRLBU meeting.
The meeting was adjourned from 12.14p.m. until 12.19p.m.
Following discussion, it was agreed to amend section 15 of the Policy to note that the Group Manager Corporate Services is authorised to act on the NTRLBU’s behalf as bidder in the auction in line with this policy and reporting will be to the NTRLBU.
Further discussion took place regarding the closed forestry account and distribution of forestry profits. It was noted that a clear mandate from Council was required for officers to undertake analysis on this issue, which was not a matter for this Subcommittee.
13. Service Delivery Reviews (s17A reviews)
Document number R15914, agenda pages 167 - 175 refer.
Manager Strategy, Mark Tregurtha, and Policy Adviser, Gareth Power Gordon, noted an amendment to paragraph 4.15 of the agenda report, in that there were 41 activities at the $100,000 and 26 at the $500,000 thresholds and answered questions regarding the rationale for the thresholds.
Discussion took place on the financial thresholds and it was noted that there were other significant factors, rather than a singular financial metric, which was not required under legislation.
It was agreed that the matter be deferred pending discussion with the relevant Chairs and that a further report be brought back for consideration.
14. Quarterly Finance Report for the nine months ending 31 March 2021
Document number R24820, agenda pages 176 - 200 refer.
15. Exclusion of the Public
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General subject of each matter to be considered |
Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter |
Particular interests protected (where applicable) |
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Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee Meeting - Public Excluded Minutes - 23 February 2021 |
Section 48(1)(a) The public conduct of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists under section 7. |
The withholding of the information is necessary: · Section 7(2)(a) To protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of a deceased person · Section 7(2)(g) To maintain legal professional privilege |
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Quarterly report on legal proceedings
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Section 48(1)(a) The public conduct of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists under section 7 |
The withholding of the information is necessary: · Section 7(2)(g) To maintain legal professional privilege |
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Quarterly Update On Debts - 31 March 2021
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Section 48(1)(a) The public conduct of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists under section 7 |
The withholding of the information is necessary: · Section 7(2)(a) To protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of a deceased person · Section 7(2)(g) To maintain legal professional privilege |
The meeting went into confidential session at 1.04p.m. and resumed in public session at 1.48p.m.
Restatements
It was resolved while the public was excluded:
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CONFIDENTIAL: Quarterly report on legal proceedings |
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 2. Agrees that the report (R23759) and its attachment (A2626174) remain confidential at this time.
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CONFIDENTIAL: Quarterly Update On Debts - 31 March 2021 |
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That the Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee 2. Notes that the application form for Outdoor Dining Concession rent relief includes that businesses with either an outstanding debt or who have not signed up to a payment plan will not be eligible for the rent relief; and 3. Agrees that the Report (R24796) and its attachment (A2216183) remain confidential at this time. |
There being no further business the meeting ended at 1.48p.m.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:
Chairperson
Date