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Statement of Accounts year ended 31 March 2016
To approve the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016.
Minutes:
The Committee received a report from the Interim Service Director Finance regarding the approval of the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016. The Statement of Accounts set out the Council’s financial position as at 31 March 2016 and a summary of its income and expenditure for the year to 31 March 2016.
Points arising from the initial discussion were –
1. Figures in respect of Bristol Energy Company would be clarified for the next Company meeting, in the interim an update would be available prior to that;
2. Confirmed that the narrative in relation to the first two items under Business Change were factually correct although did not show the work or challenges being addressed to achieve this. A saving plan was in place to achieve the £30m saving;
3. With regard to the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy it was suggested that there should be a ‘pre whistle’ blowing phase which allowed staff to raise issues at an early stage and perhaps avoid potential problems. The Interim Service Director Finance undertook to review the process and discuss with the Chief Internal Auditor what issues might need to be addressed and to ensure that staff were reminded of the facility available to them and to report any concerns that they might have at an early stage;
After further questions/discussion some members expressed serious concern about the narrative of the report, its accuracy in relation to the Accounts and lack of references. Concerns centred on the achievement section of the report namely lack of clarity/transparency, information relating to access to council services 24/7, education & training for 16-18 year olds, the Council’s website improvements, vulnerable adults, homelessness numbers, assumptions behind the numbers of asylum seekers and housing benefit rent levels. The Interim Service Director Finance suggested that this information be extracted from the report and that it was possible to provide any information as necessary outside of the meeting in relation to asylum seekers and housing benefit rent levels.
Further concern was expressed about approving the Accounts despite the Committee having seen the report at its June meeting and the Council’s external auditors being satisfied with its content.
Given the concern expressed the Chair adjourned the meeting to allow consideration to be given about what to do having regard to the statutory timescale to approve the Accounts by 30 September 2016.
On reconvening the Chair summed up the concerns which had been expressed as the Accounts being satisfactory but the narrative in the report was not, it was considered that progress could be made with the caveat that Governance issues could be raised with the Annual Governance Statement.
Other options were considered but arising from the discussion it was proposed and seconded that the Accounts be approved subject to the narrative being rewritten and approved by the Chair in negotiation with members of the Audit Committee.
On the motion being put to the vote there were two in favour and six abstentions therefore the motion was carried.
The Committee then voted to approve the Statement of Accounts in accordance with the motion.
On being put to the vote there were five in favour and three against.
Resolved – that the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016 be approved subject to the narrative being rewritten and approved by the Chair in negotiation with members of the Audit Committee.
Supporting documents:
- 9 1 Audit Report - Statement of Accounts 2015-16, item 35. PDF 142 KB
- 9 2 Appendix 1 - BCC Statement of Accounts 31 3 2016, item 35. PDF 6 MB
- 9 3 Appendix 2 - Letter of Representation, item 35. PDF 141 KB