Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Mark Shooter and Mr Richard Harbord.

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The Head of Internal Audit introduced the report.  The Committee discussed the report and asked questions to the relevant Director(s), or their representatives, on the audits that receive limited or no assurance reports.   The Committee requested that information be provided to them on the process at the Council to ensure that when a contract novates / a supplier is taken over by a different legal entity, what the Council does to assure itself that the financial standing of the ‘new’ provider is sound.  As the question was not within the scope of the audit team officers agreed to inform the Committee through a note following the meeting.

RESOLVED – The Committee noted the progress against internal audit recommendations and work completed to date on the Internal Audit Annual Plan 2013-14 and high priority recommendations.

The External Auditors, Grant Thornton LLP, will give a verbal update at the meeting.

Paul Hughes of Grant Thornton LLP (External Auditors) gave a short verbal update and informed the Committee that the audit process is proceeding as planned and there are no other issues to report that were not already being considered on the agenda.

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer and also Mr Paul Hughes of Grant Thornton LLP introduced the report.  At the request of the Chairman, Grant Thornton explained the additional audit fees that have arisen due to public questions on The Accounts. The actual amount of additional fees will need the approval of the Audit Commission.

RESOLVED - That the External Auditor’s Annual Audit Letter for 2012/2013 be accepted as a reasonable statement on the Council’s position in respect of the Audit of the Accounts, Financial Performance, Value for Money and Financial Resilience.

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer and also Mr Paul Hughes of Grant Thornton LLP introduced the report.

RESOLVED –

(1)    That the content of the report are noted.

(2)    That the matters raised by the External Auditors relating to the grants submission and certification process be noted.

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