Issue - meetings

To consider a progress update on Statement of Accounts 2019/20 and preparations.

Members considered a progress update on the Council’s Statement of Accounts 2019/20 to date following a request from Committee Members in October 2019. Councillor T. Schofield, Portfolio Holder for Finance, gave an overview of preparations for publishing the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts. The report to the Committee included an overview of progress on lessons learnt from the previous financial year and actions planned for the 2019/20 closedown. This included specialist accounting support to develop the valuation information in the property assets register and working with the Council’s external auditors (Deloitte LLP) to improve the quality of the annual Statement of Accounts and supporting information, including establishing a Grants Register.

Members commented on the ongoing valuation of property assets work that included processes to reflect best practice and the CIPFA Code of Practice. The Interim Head of Finance and Assets confirmed that the assets register was being reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with the Code. Further detail would be provided at a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – that the progress update on Statement of Accounts 2019/20 and the observations of the Committee be noted.