This is a meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee of Winchester City Borough Council held on the 30th Jan 2023.
The last meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee was on the 29th Feb 2024, and the next meeting will be 18th Jul 2024.
Walton Suite, Winchester Guildhall
Item | Title | Minutes |
1 | Apologies |
There were no apologies received. |
2 | Disclosure of Interests |
Councillor Craske declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest with regards to his employment with KPMG, who provided audit services to the Council.
|
3 | Appointment of Vice-Chairperson for remainder of 2022/23 |
RESOLVED:
That Councillor Craske be appointed as vice-chairperson of the committee for the remainder of the 2022/23 municipal year. |
4 | Chairperson's announcements |
Councillor Cutler announced that he had attended a regional meeting of Audit Committee chairpersons which had included useful discussion of various topics, including risk, inflation and the external audit delays being experienced by other local authorities.
|
5 | To note the Audit & Governance work programme 2022/23 |
Audit Governance work programme - Nov 22 update, 10/11/2022 Audit and Governance Committee
Councillor Cutler announced that following a Standards Sub-Committee meeting on 27 January 2023, it might be necessary for an additional item to be submitted to the March Committee meeting on a summary report of outcome of a standards investigation and action plan.
RESOLVED:
That subject to noting the above possible additional item, the work programme 2022/23 be noted.
|
6 | Minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 November 2022 |
Minutes , 10/11/2022 Audit and Governance Committee
The Committee was advised of a correction to the minutes of the previous meeting to note that Councillor Bronk declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of report AG086. This correction was agreed.
RESOLVED:
That, subject to the correction outlined above, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 November 2022 be approved and adopted.
|
7 | Public Participation |
There were no questions asked or statements made.
|
8 | Audit results report for the year ending 31 March 2022 (AG090) |
AG090 Audit Results Report for the year ended 31 March 2022
EY Audit Results Report (Redacted) AG090 Apdx 2 Draft Letter of Mgt Rep 2122
Kevin Suter and James Stuttaford introduced the report as set out and advised that, the outstanding agreement on the valuation for one asset had now been received by the audit team and was now being reviewed by EY. It was therefore anticipated that on receipt of the final approved accounts and Letter of Representation it should be possible to finalise the audit.
Mr Suter and Mr Stuttaford responded to questions from members on the following: a) Levels of materiality; b) Assessment of risk; c) Reasons for the delays in completing the audit and steps being taken to address.
Councillor Cutler expressed frustration regarding the delays in external audit results, which the committee noted were being experienced nationally across the sector. The impact on officers within the Finance team was also highlighted.
RESOLVED:
That the Letter of Representation be approved as contained as Appendix 2 to the report.
|
9 | Annual financial report 21/22 (AG091) |
AG091 Annual Financial Report 2021-22
AG091 Appendix 1 Annual Financial Report 2122 V12
Councillor Power (Cabinet Member for Finance and Value) introduced the report and highlighted the narrative statement provided.
The Corporate Head of Finance and Section 151 officer, together with members of her team, responded to members’ questions on the following: a) The level of expenses related to investment properties (Note 18); b) Progress on major projects; c) Income projections.
It was confirmed that following agreement with the external auditors regarding the valuation of one council asset; the draft accounts would be amended accordingly and that there would be no unadjusted material errors in the accounts. It was therefore expected that the auditors would issue an unqualified audit opinion. Pending completion of this work, it was proposed that authority be delegated to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee to approve the finalised audited Annual Financial Report for the year ended 2021/22, once adjusted, on behalf of the Committee.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Audit and Governance Committee delegates to the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee the approval of the audited Statement of Accounts 2021/22, updated for any amendments resulting from the completion of the auditor’s outstanding work.
2. That, on completion of the auditor’s work, the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee signs the Statement of Responsibilities on page 24 of Appendix 1 to certify the accounts and authorise their issue.
|
Liberal Democrat
In attendance
Liberal Democrat
Present, as expected
Liberal Democrat
In attendance
Liberal Democrat
Present, as expected
Liberal Democrat
In attendance
Liberal Democrat
Present, as expected
Liberal Democrat
Present, as expected
LIB
Not required
LIB
Present, as expected
LIB
In attendance
Conservative
Present, as expected
Conservative
Not required
Conservative
Present, as expected
Conservative
Present, as expected
CON
Not required
29th Feb 2024 Audit and Governance Committee
9th Nov 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
11th Oct 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
28th Sep 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
20th Jul 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
12th Jun 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
2nd Mar 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
30th Jan 2023 Audit and Governance Committee
15th Dec 2022 Audit and Governance Committee
10th Nov 2022 Audit and Governance Committee
18th Jul 2024 Audit and Governance Committee
26th Sep 2024 Audit and Governance Committee
7th Nov 2024 Audit and Governance Committee
6th Mar 2025 Audit and Governance Committee