Thisreport updatesthe Committeeon progresswith the completion of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2018/19 and 2019/20.

Darren Carter, Director of Finance, submitted a report providing an update on the completion of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21.  Thereport stated that officers had now completed all outstanding work in respect of the 2018/19 Accounts.  The revised Statement reflecting all the agreed amendments had beenhanded overto EYahead of EY’s internal quality assurance panel to review the audit.

Officers were on schedule tocomplete the updates required to the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts arising from the 2018/19 audit by the end of July 2021 to facilitate the commencement of the audit in early August.  Preparation and completion of the 2020/21 Accounts was also underway and the aim would be to have both 2019/20 and 2020/21 Statements of Accounts signed off by March 2022.

Resolved:    

(1)      That the progress made in relation to the audit of the 2018/19 accounts be noted and that they be circulated to the committee once finalised;

(2)      That the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Chairman of Audit & Governance Committee, be authorised to sign off the Statement of Accounts for 2018/19 on behalf of the Council;

(3)      That the progress being made in closing the 2019/20 and 2020/21 be noted.