Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Greensmith and McCrossen.  Councillor Boyle attended as substitute.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer

The Director of Corporate Resources and Section 151 Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the Chief Financial Officer’s assessment of the Council’s “Going Concern” status for the purpose of the Statement of Accounts 2020/21.

The committee asked that their thanks to the finance officers be placed on record.

RESOLVED to:

Note the outcome of the assessment made by the Chief Financial Officer that Gedling Borough Council can continue to operate as a going concern for  a period of twelve months from the date of signing the audit opinion, and accordingly remains a going concern for the purpose of the 2020/21 Statement of Accounts.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer

The Audit and Assurance Partner introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing Members of the key findings arising from Mazars’ (the Council’s external auditors) audit work in respect of 2020/21.

The committee asked that their thanks to the Senior Leadership Team and financial officers be placed on record.

RESOLVED:

To note the Mazars’ external audit report for 2020/21.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer

The Director of Corporate Resources and Section 151 Officer introduced a report, which was circulated in advance of the meeting, seeking approval of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 and the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21.

The committee asked for their thanks to officers be placed on record.

Further to the publication of the report, an amendment to recommendation 2 was proposed as following:

Subject to approval of the Annual Governance Statement at recommendation 1, members approve the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 (Appendix 2) subject to the outstanding items identified in the external auditors, Audit Completion Report 20/21 being finalised, and

To delegate authority for the final approval of the audited Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 to the Director of Corporate Resources and s151 Officer in consultation with the chair of the audit committee, subject to a satisfactory outcome of the outstanding items and to report back to the audit committee the detail of any changes, if required;

RESOLVED to:

1)     Approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 (appendix 1);

2)     Subject to approval of the Annual Governance Statement at recommendation 1, approve the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 (appendix 2) subject to the outstanding items identified in the External Auditors, Audit Completion Report 20/21 being finalised, and

Delegate authority for the final approval of the audited Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 to the Director of Corporate Resources and s151 Officer in consultation with the chair of the audit Committee, subject to a satisfactory outcome of the outstanding items and to report back to the audit committee the detail of any changes, if required;

3)     Note the narrative statement on pages 3 to 18 of the  Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 (appendix 2);

4)     Agree the Letter of Representation (appendix 3);

None.