Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 23^rd May 2018 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd May 2018 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Chief Officer (Resources)

Report to Follow.

The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer (Resources), which sought approval for the 2017/18 audited accounts to allow the completion of financial reporting for last year.

In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations, the draft Accounts for 2017/18 had been produced by 31 May 2018 and certified by the s151 Officer on that date. They had then been made available for public inspection and had also been externally audited.

Chris Paisley, Audit Manager KPMG (UK), guided Members though the External Auditors formal report, set out at Appendix A to the report, and reported on the key issues identified during the audit of the financial statements.

Members were advised that there had been just one material adjustment to make in the accounts, which related to the treatment of the pension fund up-front payment.

There were a small number of other minor presentational adjustments required and, subject to supporting documentation being completed and reviewed, an unqualified audit opinion was anticipated. An unqualified Value for Money (VFM) conclusion was also expected.

The Chief Officer (Resources) advised that in addition to the adjustment referred to above in respect of pension payments, since the agenda was prepared some further pension-related changes had been agreed with the Auditors and details of these were circulated at the meeting.  Members considered these and were advised that the amendments had no impact on the bottom line of the accounts.

Members were advised that the audited accounts would be published by 31^st July 2018.

Members asked a number of questions in relation to the upfront pension contributions and the deficit recovery payment, the increase in Special Responsibility Allowances, the review of the risk register and whether the latter would be presented to Full Council, with Members being advised that this would be dealt with through the forthcoming budget process.

Members also asked questions regarding the use of reserves set aside for appeals against Business Rates, the likelihood of any large appeals in the future as well as when the new CIPFA guidance on treasury/capital related matters was due.

Resolved:-

(1)    That the report for 2017/18 issued by the Council’s External Auditors be noted, together with the letter of representation to be signed by the s151 Officer.

(2)    That the audited Statement of Accounts, for the financial year ended 31^st March 2018 be approved as amended and that the Accounts be signed and dated by the Chairman.