This report updates the Committee on progress with the completion of the audit of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2019/20 as at 5^th January 2022.

Darren Carter, Director of Finance, submitted a report on the progress towards the completion of the Council’s Final Accounts for 2019/20, which had been published on 10 November 2021.  The report detailed the audit work that had been undertaken, including income & expenditure sampling; walk through tests; adjusting items; technical assessments of asset valuations, PFI contracts and pension liabilities (with feedback expected in January 2022); and a draft Statement of Accounts for 2020/21, which was currently being prepared.  The Committee was also advised that there had been a successful recruitment process to appoint a new Chief Accountant who would be starting in March 2022.

Resolved:     That the progress made on the audit of the 2019/20 accounts be noted.