Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which sought approval for the Council’s 2022/23 Statement of Accounts (the latest version of which was enclosed with the Agenda), and the report of the Audit Findings of the External Auditor (Grant Thornton) on the 2022/23 financial statements. The report also sought approval of the Council’s Letter of Representation.

It was reported that the Statement of Accounts set out the Council’s financial performance for the year in terms of revenue and capital spending and also presented the year-end financial position as reflected in the balance sheet. The key elements were detailed in the report.

The External Auditor presented the Audit Findings report which summarised the findings from 2022/23 external audit. Section 2 of the Audit Finding report presented the finding of the External Auditor in respect of matters and risks identified at the planning stage of the audit and additional and significant matters that arose during the course of their work.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the draft Letter of Representation in Appendix 1 be approved and any subsequent additions or amendments be approved by the Operational Director - Finance, in consultation with the Chair of the Audit and Governance Board;

2)    the External Auditor’s draft 2022/23 Audit Findings Report in Appendix 2 be approved and any subsequent additions or amendments be approved by Operational Director - Finance, in consultation with the Chair of the Audit and Governance Board; and

3)    the Council’s draft 2022/23 Statement of Accounts in Appendix 3  be approved and any subsequent additions or amendments be approved by the Operational Director - Finance, in liaison with the Chair of the Audit and Governance Board.