To provide further assurance on the adequacy of the arrangements in regards of the risk framework on the measures the Council is taking as the accountable body for public money supporting the New Model in Technoligy & Engineering (NMiTE) and the milestone payments from the Department of Education (DfE). 

The chief finance officer presented the report.

The following points were raised as part of the discussion of the item: 

·         The Department for Education (DfE) had confirmed that they had received the internal audit report from SWAP and that they were satisfied with the contents.   

·         The DfE had confirmed that the council had discharged its duties in respect of acting as an accountable body.

·         The email from the DfE  indicating that they were satisfied that all the arrangements were in place and that they will not be recalling any of funding would be all the confirmation received by the council.  

The committee agreed that this item would be listed as an agenda item in November as there was continuing public interest and a reputational risk for the council. 

RESOLVED

That

(a)       The report be noted; and

(b)       A further report be brought back to the meeting of the committee to be held on 19 November 2019.