Issue - meetings

Due to the timescales and print deadlines, the recommendations of the meeting of Cabinet held on 11 February 2025 will be circulated to Members in advance of the meeting of Council.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of Cabinet of 11 February 2025 in respect of the Annual Audit Report 2023/24.   Due regard was also given to the views of the Audit Committee of 13 January 2025, the financial and value for considerations and the legal implications.

The Chair of the Audit Committee recorded appreciation to the Finance Team for their significant achievement in ‘signing-off’ the Audit Report by mid-January whilst in the middle of the budget setting process.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Auditors Annual report for 2023/24 (attached at Annex 1) be approved;

(2)             the comments made in respect of the key recommendations from the Annual Audit Report for 2022/23 be noted; and

(3)             the management comments raised to the 2023/24 value for Money recommendations be noted and endorsed.

Recommendations of the Audit Committee of 13 January 2025.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Audit Committee meeting held on 13 January 2025 (AU 25/6).

*RECOMMENDED: That

(1)        the Auditor’s Annual report for 2023/24, attached at Annex 1, be approved;

(2)        the comments made in respect of the key recommendations from the Annual Audit Report for 2022/23, be noted; and

(3)        the management comments raised to the 2023/24 Value for Money recommendations, be noted and endorsed.

*Recommended to Council

The Council’s external auditors (Grant Thornton UK LLP) are required to satisfy themselves that the Authority has made proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources and to report on the same to those charged with governance – which for this purpose is the Audit Committee – followed by Cabinet and Full Council.

The report of the Management Team introduced the Auditor’s Annual Report for 2023/24, prepared by Grant Thornton UK LLP in respect of the Borough Council’s overall arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources. 

Members recalled that the Auditor’s Annual Report for 2022/23, presented to the Committee in September 2023, highlighted two significant weaknesses found in the Council relating to performance management and procurement.  During the latest audit, it was acknowledged and reported that the significant weakness in respect of performance management had been addressed.  With regard to procurement, given good progress being made and recognised during 2024/25, it was anticipated that this other significant weakness would also be ‘signed off’ fully during the year.

Particular reference was made to one of the improvement recommendations identified in the Auditor’s Annual Report for 2023/24 (attached at Annex 1) as well as in the Audit Findings Report (attached at Annex 2 under Item 9 on the agenda) in relation to the non-return of Related party transaction forms by Members and its associated risk for the Borough Council.  Members were keen for this recommendation to be addressed in a timely and effective manner and noted that an update would be provided to the Committee in April for any remaining concern and mitigation measure to be identified.

RECOMMENDED*: That

(1)      the Auditor’s Annual Report for 2023/24 (attached at Annex 1), be approved;

(2)      the comments made in respect of the key recommendations from the Annual Audit Report for 2022/23, be noted; and

(3)      the management comments raised to the 2023/24 Value for Money recommendations, be noted and endorsed.

*Recommended to Cabinet