Report of the Head of Finance (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration and approval of the proposal from the Local Government Association (LGA) that Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA) was appointed as the sector-led body to procure future External Audit contracts for Local Government.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with Section 7 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 which required a relevant authority to appoint a local auditor to audit its accounts for a financial year not later than 31 December in the preceding year.

THE DECISION:

That Audit, Governance & Standards Committee approves and recommends to Council to Opt-in to an approved sector led body, specifically Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd, to act as the Appointing Person for the appointment of External Auditors for the Council.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2016 (AGS.3 to AGS.13), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 June 2016 (AGS.3 - AGS.13), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Finance (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

This report presented the Statutory Auditor Results Report for the year ended 31 March 2016, the Management Representation Letter and the Council’s Financial Report 2015/16 for approval.

Members noted the good relationship that exists between the Corporate Finance Department and the External Auditor to enable the Statement of Accounts to be finalised in an efficient manner and also noted the high standard of the accounts produced.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The National Audit Office’s Code of Audit Practice (The Code) for Local Government Bodies required a report to be issued from the External Auditor (Ernst & Young LLP) to those charged with governance, on the work carried out during the audit, to discharge Ernst & Young’s statutory responsibilities, together with any governance issues identified.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the ‘Audit Results Report – IAS 260’ presented to the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee for the 2015/16 audit as prepared by Ernst & Young LLP attached at Annex A to the report be accepted;

(2)     the signing of the Management Representation Letter at Annex B of the report by the Council’s Head of Finance, acting in the capacity of s151 Officer; be approved and

(3)     the audited Statement of Accounts for 2015/16 at Annex C of the report be approved.

Report of the Head of Finance (s151 Officer)

The subject of the decision:

This report raised awareness of the quarterly revenue monitoring process and provided Members with an increased understanding as to how the quarterly revenue monitoring reports during the year related to the annual Financial Report which included the Statement of Accounts.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with a request from the Audit, Governance & Standards Committee to receive this report.

THE DECISION:

That the report be noted.