Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2022 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

Mrs. B. Seaton CC declared a Non-Registrable Interest in agenda item 6: Statement of Accounts, Annual Governance Statement and Pension Fund Accounts 2021/22, as she was in receipt of a pension from Leicestershire County Council. This item did not directly relate to or affect the financial or other wellbeing of Mrs. Seaton to an extent that this prevented Mrs. Seaton from participating in the meeting.

Mrs. D. Taylor CC declared a Non-Registrable Interest in agenda item 6: Statement of Accounts, Annual Governance Statement and Pension Fund Accounts 2021/22 as a close relative was in receipt of a pension from Leicestershire County Council. This item did not directly relate to or affect the financial or other wellbeing of Mrs. Taylor to an extent that this prevented Mrs. Taylor from participating in the meeting.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which presented the 2021/22 financial statements for approval and reported the key findings from the external audit of the accounts. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 6’, is filed with these minutes.

In presenting the report the Director of Corporate Resources explained that the audit of the accounts was almost complete, but there was one outstanding issue relating to asset valuations. This was not expected to be a material issue and the auditor had indicated that they expected that once this was resolved they would be issuing an unqualified opinion on the accounts. The information the auditor had requested in relation to the asset valuations had now been sent to the auditor.

RESOLVED:

(a)        That the Committee notes that the audit of the accounts is almost complete and is subject to the auditors being satisfied with one asset valuation, and that this is not a material issue;

(b)        That the financial statements for 2021/22 be approved subject to the audit of the accounts being complete and there being no material changes to the financial statements, and should any material changes be required then officers be requested to provide a further report to the Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which sought approval for the proposed timetable for the appointment of independent members to the Corporate Governance Committee. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 7’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed timetable for the appointment of independent members to the Corporate Governance Committee be approved.

The public are likely to be excluded during the following item of business in accordance with section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972:-

·        Charitable Trust Future Arrangements.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and that, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information –

·        Charitable Trust Future Arrangements.

The Committee considered an exempt report of the Director of Law and Governance which updated the Committee (sitting as Trustee) on the progress in the transition of the Educational Trusts of which the County Council was the sole corporate Trustee. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 10’, is filed with these minutes. The report was not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

(a)        That the Committee notes the progress in relation to the LRCF Leicestershire Educational Trust Fund transfer and the position in relation to the tranche 2 closure and transfers, and that it be agreed that the tranche 2 transfers can be made without conditions, save for use for the benefit of students.

(b)        That the position in relation to the Kibworth Beauchamp High School Foundation be noted, and officers be requested to establish an officer panel comprising Director of Law and Governance, Assistant Director Corporate Resources (Finance) and Head of Internal Audit (or their nominees) to further explore the transfer of the trust to the Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council and to report back to the Committee.