Issue - meetings

The External Auditor submitted a report on the Audit Findings for the year ended 31 March 2013.  He referred to the fact that there were a few minor outstanding adjustments to make which had been agreed by the Council and that Grant Thornton would be providing an unqualified opinion on the financial statements as there were no issues which caused the external auditors any cause for concern.  In terms of the way forward, the External Auditor explained that a small number of recommendations had been made in relation to IT and that these were set out within the Action Plan attached to the report now submitted.

The External Auditor stated that there had been five missing disclosures (four relating to previous Members) and that they anticipated a 100% return next year.  The Director of Finance and Support Services explained that every effort had been made to secure the return of the missing disclosure forms (one of which related to a former Officer).

Councillor M Pope referred to the underspends and windfalls which the Council had achieved.  The Director of Finance and Support Services provided a summary of some of the underlying causes of these and also action being taken to consider any financial implications for future years that relate to underspends in 2012/13.

In response to a query from Councillor J Wing regarding the Audit Fee and its effect on the audit process, the External Auditor explained that the fee had been reduced by 40% and of the risks involved of removing items from the audit process.

Councillor R Sharma congratulated the External Auditors on the rigor of the audit process.  The External Auditor explained that it worked to international accounting standards to ensure robustness.

The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked the External Auditors for their positive feedback on Audit Findings.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.