Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the Annual Governance Statement for inclusion with the Council’s published Financial Statements, and approval of the Audited Financial Statements 2021/22 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) which sought approval for the Annual Governance Statement for inclusion with the Council’s published Financial Statements, and approval of the Audited Financial Statements 2021/22.

The report was introduced by the Deputy Chief Finance Officer (PSPS) and the following points were highlighted:

• Appendix A outlined the current position of the Financial Statements;
• Appendix B was the Letter of Representation;
• the Financial Statements 2021/22 had been considered by the Governance and Audit Committee at a virtual training session held on 9 March 2023;
• an update would come forward to the Committee after the following issues discussed during the Audit Results Report 2021/22 item at the current meeting, had been resolved :
  • valuation of dwellings assurance; and
  • Group accounting amendments following the agreed approach with EY; and
• due to the ongoing audit issues, the Committee was not in a position to agree the Financial Statements at the current meeting however it was requested that delegated authority be granted for further amendments, if required, and approval of the Financial Statements, to the Section 151 Officer and Chairman of the Committee, following the completion of the audit.

AGREED:

After consideration of the report by the Governance and Audit Committee:

a)    That the Committee approved the Financial Statements as set out at Appendix A;

b)    That the Committee authorised the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, to approve any amendments, if required, after the Committee date and prior to the official signing of the accounts;

c)     That the Committee approved the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22; and

d)    That the Committee reviewed the letter of representation to EY (Appendix B) and agreed to approve the S151 Officer and Chairman to sign on its behalf.