Agenda and draft minutes

There were none.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2026 were approved as a true record and signed accordingly.

Report of Nathan Coughlan of Bishop Fleming

Introducing the item, the Chair commented on the unprecedented issues faced by the finance team during the period of the audit in question, and was sure that Members would bear this is mind when considering the report.

Nathan Coughlin (NC) of Bishop Fleming said the context of the report is important, and highlighted the key points.

He provided the following responses to Members’ questions:

-       last year, the main issue was the short timeline left from previous year to work on the disclaimed accounts from the previous auditors – just two months, presenting a challenge for both sides to get through everything.  However, a good proportion of the work with management was achieved,  and a full valuation from March 2025 was agreed, providing a line in the sand from which to build back;

-       Bishop Fleming cannot finalise the Annual Audit Report until the external audit has been signed off, but as long as the final accounts are produced by management in the next week or so, followed by the consultation period, there should be just enough time to bring the report to the meeting on 22 April.

The Deputy S151 Officer confirmed that the airport wasn’t audited until the end of November, group accounts couldn’t be produced until that had been done, and the airport accounts haven’t been consolidated due to the lack of resource.

In response to a further Member question, NC said that it is for management to say when all the required information ready to be audited.  The Deputy S151 Officer said that as far as general balances and earmarked reserves are concerned, the position is finalised as long as the auditors are happy with what the finance team has produced – the position has not moved significantly since the summer.  He said reserves are not an area where he would expect to make changes, and confirmed that he was happy that the revenue accounts will balance.

A Member reiterated the huge resourcing issues faced by the finance team, and said that although producing all the required information for the auditor is important, managing and keeping control of the day-to-day finances of the council must always be the Number 1 priority.  NC confirmed that valuations on the balance sheet for property and heritage assets may seem huge, but movement in those is not as critical as the income and expenditure account on movements.  He has had productive discussions about priorities with the Interim S151 Officer, and agreed that other statutory responsibilities such as  budget setting for next year, making sure management accounts are produced, and other day-to-day works must come first.  He said CBC’s position is extremely unusual, and the team is further compromised by a number of projects including the return of CBH, Golden Valley, and sale of assets.

Moving on, responding to further Members’ questions, NC said that:

-       the statement on page 20 of the report ‘Our work has not identified a material uncertainty related to going concern. We are satisfied that management’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There were none.

22 April 2026

The next meeting is scheduled for 22 April 2026.

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2026 will be approved at the next meeting of the committee.