Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Finance & Transformation / Section 151 Officer

The Committee received the report as set out on pages 31-33 of the agenda and pages 1-165 of the agenda update, which asked it to review and approve the Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31 March 2018.

The report was jointly delivered and summarised by the Director of Finance and Transformation/151 Officer and a representative from the external auditors, KPMG.

The Committee were informed that KPMG proposed to issue an unqualified audit opinion for the Council’s Statement of Accounts. The Committee were also advised that it had been concluded that the Council had made proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources, and that KPMG anticipated issuing an unqualified Value for Money conclusion by 31 July 2018. The auditor thanked Officers for their cooperation during the audit and stated that they had done an excellent job in submitting the accounts on time and to the required standard.

In response to a query from a Member of the Committee, the Head of Finance, Revenues and Benefits confirmed that in respect of the three key issues and recommendations detailed on pages 151-152 of the agenda update, two of the recommendations had successfully been implemented and work to implement the third recommendation remained ongoing.

The Chair requested that the appreciation of the Committee be passed on to all of the Officers involved in the submission.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice Chair and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2018 be approved and published by 31 July 2018;

(ii)     The Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31 March 2018 be approved; and

(iii)   Authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Transformation/151 Officer, in liaison with the Chair of the Policy, Finance and Development Committee, to make any changes to the accounts that may be agreed with KPMG.