Agenda and minutes

Audit and Corporate Governance Committee - Thursday, 7 April 2022 11.00 a.m.

Venue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions

Contact: Patrick Adams 01954 713000 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Media

Items
No.	Item
1.	Apologies for Absence To receive Apologies for Absence from Committee members. Minutes: Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor Geoff Harvey.
2.	Declarations of Interest Minutes: None.
3.	Completion of the 2018/19 Audit of the Accounts and 2019/20 Accounts Completion PDF 217 KB Additional documents: Full SOA V1.0 , item 3. PDF 37 MB SCDC - GPS LG General Audit Report R7.19 signed , item 3. PDF 141 KB Balance sheet movement (003) , item 3. PDF 590 KB Minutes: The Deputy Head of Finance reported that the 2018/19 final accounts had been completed on Tuesday 29 March. They had been signed by the Council and an unqualified opinion on the accounts had been issued by the auditors. She thanked the officers and auditors for their hard work on this. The Deputy Head of Finance explained that the aim was to produce the draft accounts for 2019/20 in the next 10-12 weeks. The Committee Noted A) That the 2018/19 final accounts audit was completed on Tuesday 29 March 2022. The Accounts have been signed by the Council and an unqualified opinion on the accounts have been issued by the auditors. B) The timescales for completion of the 2019/20 accounts and subsequent audit.
4.	2018-19 External Audit Opinion PDF 4 MB Minutes: Janet Dawson, External Auditor, stated that EY had signed off the 2018/19 accounts on 29 March. She recognised the amount of work that had been done to complete the accounts, particularly in the areas of property, plant and equipment; data migration and the new financial management system. The Deputy Head of Finance stated that the Council acknowledged the recommendations made by the External Auditors and would be implementing improvements. Minor amendment It was noted that the figure for Housing Benefits 2018/19 should be “14,185” and not “14.185”. Auditor fees Janet Dawson explained that there had been insufficient time to finalise the fees included in the report as the focus had been to get the accounts signed off. She added that it would not be legal to agree a discount. Councillor Heather Williams stated that according to the minutes of the Committee a discount had been agreed in the past. The Committee Agreed that the auditor’s fees should be subject to a PSAA review. The Committee Noted the report.
5.	Matters of Topical Interest Minutes: Investments in Russia Councillor Mark Howell reminded the Committee that he had asked at the previous meeting whether the Council had any investments in Russia. He requested that an answer be provided at the next meeting of the Committee on 28 July. Message from the Chair As this was his last meeting as Chair, Councillor Tony Mason thanked officers and auditors for their support during his last four years as Chair of the Committee.
6.	Date of Next Meeting Thursday 28 July at 10 am. Minutes: Thursday 28 July at 10 am.