Issue - meetings

To consider the Uttlesford District Council 2019-20 Accounts – changes from draft 1 to draft 2 report.

The Chair introduced the report. He referred to the fact that the accounts had yet to be signed off due to an on-going investigation that might affect the Annual Governance Statement.

The Director – Finance and Corporate Services said that his report was presented to be noted. He said that whilst the External Auditor had seen the report he had not had any input into its preparation. He said that the report had been presented to demonstrate that there had been no significant financial issues identified and that he fully expected the External Auditor to express an unqualified Audit opinion when the accounts were eventually signed off.

In response to various questions from Members, the Director- Finance and Corporate Services said that any questions in respect of the financial statements could be asked of the Auditor and officers once the 2019/20  Accounts had been brought to the Committee. He said that he did not know how long the investigation would take but that until it was completed the accounts would remain in abeyance. He said there were no direct consequences to the accounts not being signed off and that he knew of instances where authorities had operated for more than two years without their accounts being signed off. He recognised that there could be reputational damage were the matter to go unresolved for a significant period of time. In answer to a Member’s question, he said that the Council did not currently have a credit rating.

In response to a question from Councillor Foley about the on-going investigation, the Director – Finance and Corporate Services said that it was his belief that the investigation was now within the Council’s internal processes.

Councillor Luck proposed that the report be noted. There was no dissent from Members and the report was noted.

The meeting closed at 8:20pm.