Agenda and decisions

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 10.1 (Counter Fraud Activity  - Exempt Appendix), item 10.2 (Cyber Crime), item 10.3 (Cyber Action Plan), and item 10.4 (Resident X – Briefing Note).

Councillor Nicoll advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.1 (ALEO Assurance Hub Workplan and Terms of Reference) by virtue of him having a family member receiving care from on of the ALEO’s, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting.

to approve the minute as a correct record.

to note the content of the business planner.

The Committee agreed to take items 9.15 to 9.18 ahead of item 9.5 to allow the External Auditor to attend to other business.

(i)        to note the workplan for the ALEO Assurance Hub in 2024 which had been consulted upon with the ALEOs and the relevant Conveners; and

(ii)       to note the Terms of Reference for the ALEO Assurance Hub which had been amended to reflect changes to role titles and to ensure assurance was sought in relation to compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

to note the Council’s use of covert surveillance activity during the reporting period.

to note the details of the report.

(i)       to congratulate staff working in this area for the excellent report;

(ii)      to note that a report would be submitted on an annual basis to this Committee; and

(iii)      to otherwise note the inspection report.

(i)       to agree that the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, would submit initial proposals to the Governance Reference Group on (1) how to better address the scrutiny remit of the committee; and (2) revisions to the MORP and Powers Delegated to officers as described in the report in order to ensure that proposals were included in the Scheme of Governance review to be submitted to Council in July;

(ii)      to agree that training on the Best Value framework be provided to members; and

(iii)      to otherwise note the content of the report and the attached Best Value Thematic Review on leadership of the development of new local strategic priorities.

to note the content of the report and the attached Housing Benefit Risk Assessment Report.

to note the content of the report and the attached External Audit Annual report for 2022-23 audit.

to note the content of the report and the attached External Audit Annual Audit Plan for the 2023/24 audit.

in terms of Standing Order 34.1, this matter was referred to the Council for consideration.

(i)        to note the important work of the Counter Fraud Officers detailed in the Appendix, and the need for continued vigilance in identifying, investigating and dealing with actions of the few that want to perpetrate fraud, bribery and corruption to their own benefit; and

(ii)       to agree to receive a report on counter-fraud activity for 2024 at it’s meeting in May 2025.

to note the Internal Audit progress report.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the exempt appendix.

(i)        to note the content of the report;

(ii)       to note that the cyber security arrangements were the subject of assurance by National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and by both internal and external audit; and

(iii)      to recognise the council’s accreditation to both Public Services Network and Cyber Essentials.

to note the report and the attached internal audit report.

to note the content of the report and the attached briefing note.