Agenda item

The Engagement Lead for Grant Thornton provided Members with a brief verbal update and in doing so stated that it was unfortunate that the Audit Opinion for 2019/2020 had not yet been issued.  Members were reminded that at the last meeting it was noted that there was outstanding information from officers.

The remaining issue was in regard to outstanding information on the Asset Register and one particular piece of land, which had been sold but not included on the Asset Register.  The Head of Finance and Customer Services and his team were aware of this, and it had now been included on the Asset Register.  It was concluded that this was a ‘one off’ anomaly.

The final version of the Statement of Accounts had been agreed and was ready, however, final confirmation of an electronic signature was required before the Audit Opinion 2019/2020 could be issued, hopefully before Friday 29^th October 2021. 

Members were further informed that their audit opinion would be as follows:

·       Unqualified – Value for Money (VFM) conclusion

·       Unqualified - Financial Statements Audit

It was confirmed to Members that Grant Thornton were currently liaising with the finance team with regard to the draft Statement of Accounts for 2020/2021. It was hoped that this would be finalised in quarter 1 of 2022, if not by April 2022. 

Members were informed that the Audit Plan and Financial Statements 2020/2021 would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

In response to concerns raised by some Members in respect of whether quarter 1 was a realistic timescale for completion of the Statement of accounts 2020/2021. The Engagement Lead for Grant Thornton stated that theoretically it was possible.  He also reported that that this target needed to be met otherwise it could be difficult to get back on track.  There was a willingness from both Grant Thornton and Finance officers to achieve this.  It was reported that the draft accounts and working papers were needed and that it would be necessary to complete this work by April 2022 at the latest, before going into a heavy workload with NHS accounts and other local authorities accounts.

In response to further questions raised, the Head of Finance and Customer Services commented that the size of the Finance team had been reduced due to officers leaving.  Regarding the recruitment of new officers Members were informed that it was absolutely necessary to ensure that the right quality of people were recruited into the various vacant roles. Officers were trying to set the accounts and budget, whilst closing off the current financial year.  The Head of Finance and Customer Services had endeavoured to get a set of accounts together and on time this year, whereby a lot of other Council’s had not signed of their accounts.

Councillor D. Thain, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Enabling, took the opportunity to reassure Members.  The Finance team had been under considerable pressure with resource issues.  The new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system would provide the required documents more easily and readily.  Officers were doing their very best and would get the job done.

The Head of Finance and Customer Services responded to further questions with regard to staffing levels and agency staff and agreed to provide specific information to Councillor J. Brunner. 

The Chair took the opportunity to thank the Engagement Lead for Grant Thornton.

RESOLVED that

the Grant Thornton External Audit Progress Report and Sector Verbal Update be noted.