Verbal update by the Finance Manager
Minutes:
The Finance Manager gave a verbal update to Members to inform them that the Audit of Accounts 2019/20 and Annual Governance Statement were not able to be signed off by the external auditors.
He advised Members that the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require local authorities to prepare, approve and publish, each year, an Annual Governance Statement (AGS). These regulations also determine the timetable for approval and publication. As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic the Regulations were amended requiring local authorities to sign off their draft accounts and publish their draft AGS by 31 August, instead of 31 May. The date for final publication of the accounts and AGS was also extended to 30 November, from31 July.
RESOLVED – That a Special Audit Committee meeting be held on 18 November 2020 to approve the Audit of Accounts for 2019/20 and the Annual Governance Statement.