Agenda item

5.1

The Committee received a report from the Council’s external auditor, Ernst & Young.

5.2

Hayley Clark explained that the report provided the Committee with an update on the Council’s key risks. It also identified a timeline of communication and deliverables.

5.3

Dan Spiller explained that the first 2 bullet points on page 5 of the report (page 19 of the agenda) were the 2 main areas of work yet to be completed by external audit for their 2021/22 audit. It was added that some of the following bullet points which highlighted ongoing work by External Audit had progressed since the paper was published.

5.4

From page 7 of the report (page 21 of the agenda) risks were identified, the details of those risks who provided and the status of those risks were reported.

5.5

It was mentioned that the report gave an update relating to Value for Money although the full position will be reported at a future meeting of the Committee. Dan Spiller added that Ernst & Young anticipated on giving a clean opinion in relation to Value for Money.

5.6

The report then highlighted the proposed timetable of external audit work up until May 2023.

5.7

Members of the Committee asked questions and following responses were provided: -

5.8

In relation to Investment Property Evaluation, Hayley Clark agreed that this were a common recurring risk although the risk tended to change therefore making it harder to prepare for.

5.9

Hayley Clark mentioned that the requirement for ?? were increasing year on year and unless there were a change centrally, it was anticipated that this trend would continue.

5.10

Dan Spiller highlighted the different methodology and input issues and explained why they were included in the report.

Hayley Clark mentioned there still may be some outstanding pieces of work at the time of which External Audit bring their report (Report of those Charged with Governance ISA 260) to the 9 March 2023 meeting.

5.11

The Interim Director of Legal and Governance, David Hollis mentioned that under the new system, delegation cannot be given to an individual Member therefore that delegation would have to be given to an Officer. This may be something the Committee has to consider when they look to sign off the accounts at the next meeting of the Committee.

5.12

RESOLVED: That the committee noted the content of the report.