Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Director of Finance, which sought approval for the Council’s 2023/24 Statement of Accounts (Appendix 3), and the report of the Audit Findings of the External Auditor (Grant Thornton) on the 2023/24 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 2023/24 external audit.  Section 2 of the Audit Findings 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.  Appendix B of the Audit Findings Report presented an action plan of recommendations for future improvement to the Statement of Accounts.  These would be reviewed by management for appropriate action.

          In addition, the Council was required to provide the External Auditor with a Letter of Representation relating the financial statements, as shown in Appendix 1.  The letter was required to be signed by the Chair of the Board on behalf of the Council.

RESOLVED: That

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

2)    the External Auditor’s draft 2023/24 Audit Findings Report in Appendix 2 be received and any subsequent additions or amendments be approved by Director - Finance, in liaison with the Chair of the Board; and

3)    the Council’s draft 2023/24 Statement of Accounts in Appendix 3 be approved and any subsequent additions or amendments be approved by the Director - Finance, in liaison with the Chair of the Board.