Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the high-level consultancy based review relating to concerns and issues raised regarding the Barham Park Trust (BPT) Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.

RESOLVED to note the content and outcome of the high-level consultancy based review commissioned by the Chief Executive on the Barham Park Trust Accounts 2022-23.

Eligible for Call-In: No (Information item only)

Kim Wright, Chief Executive, was invited to introduce the report which provided a summary of a high-level consultancy based review relating to concerns and issues that had been raised in relation to the Barham Park Trust Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.

In considering the report, the Trust Committee noted that the consultancy based review had been established to meet the following objectives (a) To independently and objectively review concerns raised by Councillor Lorber in respect of the accuracy of the Barham Park Trust accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023, to determine whether any errors or misstatements had been presented within the accounts; and (b) To review the responses provided by officers in respect of the concerns raised by Councillor Lorber regarding the accounts, to determine whether these provided accurate and sufficient information/detail.

The scope of the review established had been detailed within section 3.6 of the report, with the Trust Committee specifically advised that it had not been undertaken with the intention of providing a full audit or opinion on the Trust accounts and the concerns raised being considered from a high-level accountancy perspective in order to clarify any operational issues.  As a result, the Chief Executive confirmed her satisfaction that the objectives and scope for the review undertaken had been met and that as an outcome no material issues relating to the accuracy of the accounts had been identified.  The review had, however, identified areas where it was felt the accounts (moving forward) could be presented in a more clear and transparent way.  In addition, the review had identified some areas for focus in terms of operational practices regarding the running of the Trust, which had been outlined in section 3.9 of the report.  Members were advised that the actions identified as a result (whilst not impacting on the accuracy of the accounts) would also be implemented as a means of addressing management of the Council’s ongoing relationship with the Trust.

In terms of stakeholder engagement on the high-level review, clarification was provided that whilst Councillor Lorber, as both a ward councillor and Trustee of the Friends of Barham Library, had raised the initial concerns regarding accuracy of the accounts he had not been involved in the detailed review process or preparation of the report presented to the Trust as a result.

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Chair of the Trust) thanked Kim Wright for having commissioned and undertaken the high-level review with the Trust members welcoming the outcome along with the wider actions identified in relation to the operational arrangements for the management and running of the Trust, including the link between rent reviews and management of assets within the property portfolio including the ongoing work on the feasibility study commissioned in relation to the Barham Park Strategic Property review.

Having consider the report, the Trust Committee RESOLVED to note and endorse the outcome of the high-level review commissioned by the Chief Executive in relation the Barham Park Trust Accounts 2022-23.