Decision details

Michael Jackson, Principal Financial Accountant, presented the report and advised that approval of the audited Statement of Accounts and publication by 31 July 2019 is a requirement of The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.  The approved and signed Statement will be published on the Council’s website. 

There have been no material changes to the Statement of Accounts from the draft version published on 31 May 2018 which affected the financial position of the Council.  As discussed in the previous agenda item the External Auditor anticipates providing the Council with an unmodified audit report, with a limited number of further tests to complete.

There is one change required following the Council meeting the previous evening relating to note 7.  This was circulated prior to the meeting relating to one material non-adjusting event after the Balance Sheet date. 

Members noted that approval of the Statement of Accounts is subject to the satisfactory completion of the audit by 31 July.  On this basis the Chief Executive and the Chair of the Governance Committee will sign the Letter of Representation on 31 July.  However, In the event the Chief Financial Officer is of the opinion the amendments are material to the financial position of the authority, Governance Committee will be reconvened to approve the new Statement of Accounts.

Decision:

1.    To approve the audited Statement of Accounts for 2018/19 (Appendix A), subject to any amendments which in the opinion of the Chief Financial Officer (Section 151 Officer) are minor in nature, such minor amendments to be defined as nonmaterial to the financial position of the authority. The Chief Financial Officer will exercise this delegation in consultation with the Chair of Governance Committee. In the event the Chief Financial Officer is of the opinion the amendments are material to the financial position of the authority, Governance Committee will be reconvened to approve the new Statement of Accounts.

2.    To authorise the Chief Executive and Chair of Governance Committee to sign the Letter of Representation (Appendix B).