To enable the committee to provide assurance on the adequacy with regards to the risk framework on the measures the council is taking as the accountable body for the new model in technology & engineering (NMiTE) and the milestone payments from the Department for Education (DfE).

The chief finance officer presented the report and highlighted the following points:

·         Work has not been concluded with the Department for Education (DfE) but it was expected to conclude in the next few weeks.

·         The council’s role as accountable body will end with the last payment be made.  This would also end the committee’s involvement.

As part of the discussion in connection with the item, the following points were made:  

·         The risk on the corporate risk register was not in relation to the accountable body status but was in connection with the risk about accommodation. 

·         The DfE had confirmed that they were comfortable with the arrangements that NMiTE had in place notwithstanding the issues of accountability which had been raised by SWAP. 

·         The DfE have indicated that they will be signing off the arrangements again

·         Copies of the SWAP audit in connection with Quarters 2 and 3 would be provided to the committee. 

RESOLVED that

Further reports on NMiTE be on the agenda for the committee meetings in March and May 2020.