(a)        Chair’s Introduction

Prior to the consideration of the matters set out in the agenda, the Chair outlined their expectations of the standard of conduct and behaviour to be shown at the meeting.

(b)        Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K Buck (no substitute), Councillor A Line (Substitute: Councillor A Jones) and Councillor K Murphy (no substitute).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 January 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Report of Executive Director (Finance & Resources)

The Committee considered a report prepared by the Council’s external auditors, Deloitte, that provided a summary of the audit work completed to date for the 2020/21 financial year, with regard to the auditor’s opinion on the Council’s Statement of Accounts and its arrangements for securing Value for Money.

The Committee asked a number of questions which were responded to by representatives of Deloitte and officers and were advised that the audit work had been substantially completed subject to the finalisation of a number of outstanding matters, but that no significant weakness in the Council’s arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources had been identified.

Resolved:

That the final report of Deloitte on the audit for the year ended 31 March 2021, be noted.

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources)

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) presenting the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21, together with proposed actions for 2021/22 and an update on progress made against the action plan for 2020/21, and the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21.

The Committee asked a number of questions in respect of the Annual Governance Statement and the Statement of Accounts, which were responded to by officers.

Resolved:

1.          That the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 be agreed, subject to any further views expressed by the Council’s External Auditor, and that the Governance Statement be recommended to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for authorisation, signature and incorporation in the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21.

2.          That the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 be adopted and approved for publication, subject to any final review and amendments required as a result of the remaining audit matters outstanding.

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources)

The Committee considered a report prepared by the Council’s external auditors, Deloitte, that presented the audit planning report for 2021/22 required by the National Audit Office Code of Audit Practice, which set out how the auditors intended to carry out their responsibilities in light of their assessment of risk and the planned scope of relevant audit work.

The Committee asked a number of questions in respect of the scope of the audit work for 2021/22, which were responded to by representatives of Deloitte and officers.

Resolved:

That the Deloitte audit planning report for 2021/22, be noted.