Issue - meetings

This report presents the Council’s External Auditor’s Annual Report on value for money as part of the 2021/22 audit of the year end accounts. It also sets out the key recommendations made within the Annual Report.

Members are asked to note that a representative of the Council’s External Auditor’s (Grant Thornton) will be present at the meeting to respond to any issues raised.

Council RESOLVED to note the external auditor’s annual report on value for money as part of the 2021/22 audit of the year end accounts.

Having agreed to the change in the order of business, the Mayor invited Ciaran McLaughlin (online participant representing Grant Thornton) as the Council’s External Auditor to introduce the report from the Chief Executive presenting the External Audit 2021-22 Annual Report on Value for Money (VFM).

In introducing the report, Ciaran McLaughlin summarised the approach towards the VFM audit and drew Members attention to the positive nature of the process and key findings detailed within the Annual Report.  As part of the auditors work, members were advised that no significant weaknesses had been identified in terms of the Council’s VFM arrangements.  Whilst a small number of improvement recommendations had been identified, it was pointed out these had been designed to enhance existing processes rather than in response to any weaknesses identified.  In commending the report to Council, he once again highlighted the positive outcome of the audit and expressed thanks to all those involved in supporting the process.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform, to respond to the Annual report on behalf of the Council.  In welcoming the report, she felt it important to recognise the positive nature of the independent audit opinion and findings identified in relation to the Council’s VFM arrangements, particularly given the Council’s challenging budgetary position.  Highlighting the improvement in terms of the overall number of recommendations identified, compared to previous years, confirmation was provided that all recommendations had been accepted with management responses provided, as detailed within the report.  Highlighting what she felt to be the Council’s prudent, financially sustainable and resilient approach towards management of its finances, Councillor Mili Patel ended by thanking Ciaran McLaughlin and his team for the work undertaken on the audit.

As no other members indicated they wished to speak the Mayor then put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED to note the External Auditor’s Annual Report on Value for Money as part of the 2021-22 audit of the year end accounts.

This report presents the Council’s External Auditor’s Annual Report on value for money as part of the 2020/21 audit of the year end accounts. It also sets out the key recommendations made within the Annual Report.

Members are asked to note that a representative of the Council’s External Auditor’s (Grant Thornton) will be present at the meeting to respond to any issues raised.

Council RESOLVED to note the external auditor’s annual report on value for money as part of the 2020/21 audit of the year end accounts.

Having agreed to the change in the order of business, the Mayor invited Paul Dossett (Grant Thornton) as the Council’s External Auditor to introduce the report from the Chief Executive presenting the External Audit Annual Report on Value for Money (VFM).

In introducing the report, Paul Dossett outlined the revised approach towards the VFM audit introduced by the National Audit Office as part of their new Code of Audit Practice for 2020-21 and drew Members attention to the positive nature of the process and key findings detailed within the Annual Report.

The Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report.

Councillor McLennan (as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources) welcomed the report and felt it was important to recognise the positive nature of the findings identified in relation to the Council’s VFM arrangements.  In highlighting the forensic and transparent nature of the audit process, she also took the opportunity to thank Paul Dossett and his team for the way in which they had conducted the audit.

As no other members indicated they wished to speak the Mayor then invited Paul Dossett to respond with any final comments prior to consideration of the item being concluded.  In responding, Paul Dossett, drew Members attention to the Executive Summary within the Annual Report and confirmed that no significant weakness had been identified in relation to the three main areas reviewed as part of the audit.  These had been focussed around the Council’s Financial Sustainability; Governance and arrangements for securing and improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness.  Whilst a number of recommendations had been identified, these had related to further improvements on which it was confirmed management responses had already been provided.  In commending the report to Council, he once again highlighted the positive outcome of the audit and expressed thanks to all those involved in supporting the process.

The Mayor then put the recommendation in the report to the vote and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED to note the External Auditor’s Annual Report on Value for Money as part of the 2020/21 audit of the year end accounts.