Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendations of Cabinet in respect of the Auditor’s Annual Report.

These are ‘to follow’ and will be circulated in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of the Borough Council’s overall arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources as set out in the Annual Auditors report prepared by Grant Thornton UK LLP and reviewed by the Audit Committee.

Due regard had been given to the views of the Audit Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and on the grounds that the external auditor was satisfied that the Borough Council had made proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Lark seconded and Council

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Auditors Annual report (Annex 1) be approved;

(2)             the key recommendations made in respect of the comments made be noted; and

(3)             the management comments to the 2024/25 value for money recommendations be noted and endorsed.

Members recorded appreciation to the Financial Services team as Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council were the first local authority in Kent to get its accounts signed off for 2024/25.

Consideration of recommendations of the Audit Committee in respect of the Auditor’s Annual Report.

These are ‘to follow’ and will be circulated in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Audit Committee in respect of the Borough Council’s overall arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources as set out in the Annual Auditors report prepared by Grant Thornton UK LLP.

Due regard was given to the views of the Committee and Cabinet was pleased to note that the external auditors had not identified any significant weaknesses in the Borough Council’s arrangements, although a small number of improvement actions had been recommended.

On the grounds that the external auditor was satisfied that the Borough Council had made proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources, Cabinet

*RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the Auditor’s Annual report (Annex 1) be recommended to Council for approval;

(2)             the key recommendations made in respect of the comments made be noted; and

(3)             the management comments to the 2024/25 value for money recommendations be noted and endorsed.

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 (attached at Annex 1) 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.  In introducing the report, a brief outline of the national context was provided.

Grant Thornton had not identified any significant weaknesses in the Council’s arrangements to improve economy, efficiency and effectiveness.  An improvement recommendation was made in respect of the response to the Internal Audit recommendation on the Agile Software implementation and the response of management was detailed in paragraph 5.5 of the report.

RECOMMENDED*: That

(1)        the Auditor’s Annual Report (attached at Annex 1) for 2024/25 be approved;

(2)        the key recommendations made in respect of the comments made, be noted;

(3)        the management comments to the 2024/25 value for money recommendations be noted and endorsed; and

(4)        any specific recommendations be made to Cabinet and/or Full Council as the Committee feels appropriate considering the Annual Report.

*Recommended to Council