Issue - meetings

Report of the Audit Committee (to be presented by Councillor Massey, the Chairman)

The Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Massey, introduced the Statement of Accounts 2011/12 which had been discussed by the Audit Committee at their meeting on the 19 September.  He referred members to item 3.1 of the report, the audit did not identify any material issues in the accounts and item 3.3 of the report emphasising that the finance team had prepared the accounts whilst simultaneously implementing and launching GO.  Finance was a small team and deserved recognition for their efforts.

He explained that the second recommendation was a departure from previous years and aimed to align working practices with partner authorities.  The consideration and sign off of the Statement of Accounts had been delegated to Audit Committee but in future a report would only be made back to Council if there were issues arising from the audit.

In response to a question from a member, the Chair of the Audit Committee explained that neither of the two elector challenges had been deemed by KPMG as significant enough to delay the signing of the accounts. 

The Leader endorsed the comments of the Chair regarding the efforts of the finance team and also thanked the Audit Committee. 

Councillor R Hay, as a member of the Audit Committee, highlighted that the Committee had put on record their thanks to KPMG for their hard work and support as they would no longer fulfil the role of external auditor for this authority. 

Upon a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that:-

1.      The decision of the Audit Committee to approve the Statement of Accounts for 2011/12 be noted, including the Annual Governance Statement and note that the Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Massey, signed the accounts to formally signify their approval by the Council.

2.      As outlined in section 4, the Chair of the Audit Committee will only report to the Council if there are any issues arising from the audit of the Statement of Accounts.