Agenda

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 November 2024.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

Verbal update on the 2023-24 Statement of Accounts from Bishop Fleming, the Council’s current external auditors.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To update the committee on the status of the audit of the 2023/24 statement of accounts, note the proposed changes to the draft statement of accounts; note the draft Letter of Representation; and to seek delegated authority to finalise the accounts with the auditors by the backstop date for 2023/24’s accounts.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1           To note the proposed changes between the draft and final statement of accounts for 2023/24.

1.2           Note the draft Letter of Representation for 2023/24 (Appendix 1)

1.3           Agree that, once the final audit opinion for 2023/24 is received, the Assistant Director Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in their absence), be authorised to make any further changes to the accounts agreed with the auditors and sign the accounts.  Any further changes will be brought to the Committee’s attention at its next meeting following the signing.

1.4           Agree that the Assistant Director of Finance, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee (or Vice Chair in their absence), be authorised to make any further changes to the letter of representation agreed with the auditors that may arise during completion of the audit. Any further changes will be brought to the Committee’s attention at its next meeting following the signing.

Report of the Assistant Director of Law and Governance, Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2023/2024.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves to:

1.1       Consider and comment on the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2023/2024

Report of the Assistant Director of Law and Governance, Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To review the Local Code of Corporate Governance. The code is part of the overall system of internal control at the Council and supports the provision of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) which is approved annually by the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To approve the reviewed Local Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix 1).

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To submit the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2025-26 for recommendation by the committee to the Executive

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To recommend the draft Capital and Investment Strategy for 2025-26 (Appendix 1) and draft Treasury Management Strategy for 2025-26 (Appendix 2) to Executive.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance  (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

This report provides the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee with an update on delivery of the internal audit work programme for 2024/25, following approval of the programme at this committee’s May 2024 meeting.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To note the progress made in delivering the 2024/25 internal audit work programme

To consider and review the Work Programme.