Issue - meetings

To seek approval of the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 and approval of the Financial Statements 2022/23 (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 of the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 and approval of the Financial Statements 2022/23.

The report was introduced by the Finance Manager – Corporate (PSPS) which detailed the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 and Financial Statements for 2022/23 with three recommendations in respect of the Annual Governance Statement, Financial Statements and Letter of Representation.

The draft Annual Governance Statement and Unaudited Financial Statements 2022/23 had been considered by the Governance and Audit Committee at its 18 July 2024 meeting and no further amendments had been made. Approval was required by the committee on these matters to enable the opinion by EY to be issued by the backstop deadline of 13 December 2024.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members referred to the Peer Challenge Review recommendations, noted at point 2.3 of the report, and queried whether progress/outcomes in respect of the recommendations would be reported to the Governance and Audit Committee. It was felt that a measure of assurance regarding identified issues needed to be made available.
  • The Assistant Director – Governance responded that the route of Peer Review progress reports through the council would be investigated and reported back to the Governance and Audit Committee; and
  • The Chief Finance Officer (PSPS) responded that the Peer Review was undertaken in 2023. The recommendations referred to within the report had resulted from the follow-up review in 2024 which found that improvements to identified issues had been made within the twelve-month window.

• Members referred to note 30 of the report regarding ‘officers’ remuneration’ and queried a redundancy payment of £36,949 made to an officer where an identical post was filled the following day.
  • The Chief Finance Officer (PSPS) would seek clarification from the Section 151 Officer and report back to the committee.

• Members referred to the note 3 of the Housing Revenue Account on page 181 of the agenda, and queried whether the allowance for bad debts was a council provision.
  • The Finance Manager – Corporate (PSPS) responded that the note referred solely to the HRA and represented an allowance for bad debt for funds not recovered. A provision was set aside for the uncollectable value.

• Members referred to note 7 regarding the expenditure and income analysed by nature on page 137 of the agenda, and queried whether a breakdown could be provided in respect of the ‘employee benefit expenses’ and the ‘other service expenses’.
  • The Finance Manager – Corporate (PSPS) responded that:
    • Note 7 was a comprehensive breakdown of the income and expenditure statement;
    • As an overview, the ‘employee benefit expenses’ referred to elements such as gross pay, national insurance and pensions, whilst ‘other service expenses’ included elements such as materials, insurance and clothing; and
    • A breakdown of the information would be provided after the meeting.

AGREED:

a)    That following consideration by the Governance and Audit Committee that the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 be approved;

b)    That following approval of the Annual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46