Decision details

The Committee considered the Annual Financial Report 2022/23.

The report explained the need for the request for delegated authority to be given for the approval of the final 2022/23 Annual Financial Report, and recommended that the final Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 be approved.

Members were reminded that the Committee had previously seen a draft version of the financial statements  for 2022/23 at their May ’23 meeting.  In accordance with the new timescales, it was now necessary to finalise these accounts, in view of the backstop date of 13 December 2024. 

However, as the External Auditor had yet to complete the audit and give a disclaimed opinion on the 2022/23 accounts, the report sought delegated authority for the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the S151 Officer to subsequently agree the accounts and the letter of representation once Ernst and Young had completed this.

Whilst noting the 2022/23 accounts had been largely superseded, members asked whether any specific matters had been raised. In reply, it was reported that there had been a minor difference of opinion on the method of valuation of the Council’s leisure centres, and this had been taken on board and reflected in this latest draft. 

It was now anticipated that the version now submitted would be the final document to be signed off, but officers undertook to report back to the Committee if there were any changes. 

Members acknowledged that many other councils were in a similar position and going through the same process of bringing audits up to date in this way.

RESOLVED:

(i)               That the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources and Transformation (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Chairman of the Audit Committee, be given delegated authority to review and consider the 2022/23 Audit Completion Report from the Council’s External Auditor.

(ii)              That further to the above review, the Strategic Director Corporate Resources and Transformation (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Chairman of the Audit Committee, be given delegated authority to approve:

a)  The Annual Financial Report for 2022/23; and

b)  The 2022/23 letter of representation

(iii)            That the Final Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 be approved by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council.