Issue - meetings

Debbie Hanson from Ernst Young LLP introduced the report, explaining that it was a provisional report due to audit procedures not being fully concluded. She drew Members’ attention to the scope update on page 13, and listed the specific risks identified. She explained how these risks had been regraded.  

She referred to page 18 of the report which related to fraud and error and explained that this section of testing was substantially completed, and that no issues had been identified. She said that the high interest risk testing was complete, and again no issues had been identified. She explained that an error had been identified in the pension liability, but this was an error attributed to Herts Building Control and not the Council and did not expect this error to delay the final audit report further.

She concluded by saying that business rates testing was finished, with an error attributed to Analyse Local. That group testing was largely concluded and that Covid grant testing was completed. She said that value for money testing was not yet fully complete, but that no issues in this area were foreseen. 

The Chairman asked if the final audit report would need to be considered by the Committee alongside the approval of the statement of accounts. The Head of Strategic Finance and Property said that this would require the Committee to hold a Sub-Committee meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee at the beginning of May 2022.    

It was moved by the Chairman and seconded by Councillor Ward-Booth that the recommendation, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting, and a vote take, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that (B) that the Committee noted that the statement of accounts would need to be approved by the Sub-Committee in the week commencing 2^nd May 2022. 

The Chairman thanked Debbie Hanson for her report and the Head of Strategic Finance and Property and the Finance Team for their hard work.  

As Recommendation (B) had already been carried it was moved by Councillor Huggins and seconded by Councillor Fernando that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting, and a vote take, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A)the external auditor’s Provisional Audit Results Report 2020/21 be received and any comments made; and 

(C ) the Committee thanked the staff in Strategic Finance for producing the budget and Medium Term Financial Plan as well as facilitating the delayed external audit and commencing preparation for the closedown of the 2021/22 financial year