Agenda and minutes

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

Both Councillors Simon Carter and Chris Vince declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 4 (Audit Results Report) as they were members of the HTS (Property & Environment) Board of Directors.

Following the deferment at its last meeting on 31 July 2018, the Committee received a revised report and draft letter of representation to formally acknowledge the audit of the 2017/18 financial statements.

It was noted that the two main areas of concern, which had led to the deferment at the last meeting, had now been addressed.

Having sought technical advice, one unadjusted misstatement relating to the Council’s treatment and approach to the depreciation of Housing assets remained.  For the sake of transparency, the result of this difference in methodology had been demonstrated in Appendix A of the management letter.

RESOLVED that the Letter of Representations, at Appendix 1 of the report, is acknowledged and approved.

Further to Minute 21 (31/7/18), the Committee received a report and the external auditor’s draft findings on their audit of the Council’s financial statements.

The external auditor gave an update on the audit work completed since their report to the last meeting of this Committee.  It was noted that the external auditors were content with the Council’s response to their concerns regarding the two technical adjustments they had requested. A pragmatic way forward had been agreed, as the issues raised did not impair the material accuracy of the accounts nor altered the bottom line of the Council’s reserves and balances. 

As the external auditors had previously given their assurance on their value for money assessment, it was noted that this had been duly noted at the last meeting of this Committee.

RESOLVED that the Audit Results Report be reviewed alongside consideration of the Statement of Accounts (see following item).

Further to minute 22 (31/7/18), the Committee received the 2017/18 Statement of Accounts, together with a tabled list of amendments (appended to these minutes) that had been made to the accounts since the report had been published.

These accounts were considered alongside the auditor’s results report (see Minute 27).

RESOLVED that the 2017/18 Statement of Accounts, at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved. 

To deal with any matters of an urgent nature.

None.