Agenda item

Report of the Director of Operations

The Group Director of Operations submitted a report (previously circulated) to present a report by the Council’s external auditors, Ernst and Young LLP (EYP) on the audit for the year ended 31 March 2021.

It was reported that In accordance with the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) Regulations 2021, all Local Authorities were required to produce the draft annual Statement of Accounts by 31 July 2021 and an audited set published by 30 September 2021. These regulations had temporarily relaxed the previous deadlines for producing the draft accounts and completion of final audited accounts.

Caroline Mulley, EYP, advised Members that the audit work on the accounts had been substantially completed and that an unqualified opinion on the Council’s 2020/21 accounts would be issued; concluded that the Council had put in place proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness of its use of resources; and confirmed that the Council’s Annual Governance Statement was not misleading or inconsistent with other information known to them.

Members also gave specific consideration to items that were classified as unadjusted audit differences in relation to the Private Finance Initiative and Income to Services.

RESOLVED - (a)  That the Auditors Audit Results Report on the Council’s 2020/21 financial statements be noted.

(b)  That Members note the Letter of Representation in Appendix B of the Audit Results Report.

(c) That the Audit Committee agree not to amend the unadjusted audit differences as they were not material.

(d) That the Audit Committee approve the IFRS complaint Statement of Accounts for the 2020/21 financial year.