Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Phil Butters – Keele University and Phil Jones – Grant Thornton.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting(s).

Resolved:                 That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June, 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

Report to follow.

Consideration was given to a report seeking Member’s approval of the statement of accounts, to agree the external auditor’s Audit Findings Report for 2017/18 and to agree the Letter of Representation to the Auditor.

Members were handed an amendment to the report at the meeting.

Paul Harvey of Grant Thornton summarised the Audit Findings report -  year ending 31 March, 2018, for Members.

The Auditors were happy with the report – subject to the amendments presented by the Council’s Head of Finance and informed Members that no issues had been identified.

Members’ attention was brought to two recommendations (page 111 of the report) and the Council’s responses.  In addition, on page 112 two recommendations from last year were in the process of being implemented.

Paul Harvey circulated a sheet with ‘Audit Adjustments’ for members’ consideration.

Members also considered a copy of the proposed Audit Report that would be issued tomorrow.

The Council’s Executive Director – Resource and Support Services, Kelvin Turner thanked the Head of Finance, Dave Roberts and his team for completing the accounts on time and also Paul Harvey and the Auditors for their work bearing in mind that they had to now complete their work two months sooner than in previous years.  The Chair also passed on his thanks to all concerned.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Statement of Accounts 2017/18 be approved

and signed by the Chair and the Executive Director – Resource and Support Services.

(ii)        That the audit findings Report for 2017/18 be received.  

(iii)       That the Letter of Representation be approved for

signature by the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

Consideration was given to a report outlining the annual report of the Internal Audit Section for the  financial year 2017-18.

Members’ attention was brought to paragraph 3.2 of the report  showing the nine review areas  categorised as High Risk Business Critical Systems.  All of the reviews had been completed with very few  recommendations given.

Resolved:     That the Internal Audit Section Annual Report for 2017-18 be received.

There was no Urgent Business.