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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

AUDIT COMMITTEE

14 March 2013

REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF REGENERATION AND

COMMUNITIES

Report prepared by Stephen McGinnes

1.            Certification of financial claims and returns

1.1        Issue for Consideration

1.1.1  To consider the outcome of the Audit Commission work to certify the grant and subsidy claims that the Council submitted during 2011/12.

1.2     Recommendation of Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service

1.2.1 That the Committee notes the Audit Commission assurance that the

Council maintains a strong control environment for the preparation and monitoring of grant claims and returns.

1.3     Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1 The Audit Commission undertook work to certify the two primary grant claims that are submitted by the Council with a combined value of £104,400,000.

• Housing and council tax benefit scheme;

• National non-domestic rates;

1.3.2 The level and form of testing varied between claims to reflect the value and specific requirements of the grant paying body, as detailed within Appendix A.

1.3.3 Whilst the work gave rise to minor amendment, the adjustments were cost neutral, with the overall assurance confirming that the Council continues to have good systems in place to ensure the accuracy of its’ grant claims and returns.

1.4    Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The report is provided for information only.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   The report supports the objective of providing corporate and customer excellence.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   The accuracy of the grant claims represents a key financial risk, with the work undertaken by the Audit Commission in part aimed at mitigating that risk.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.7.2   The financial considerations have been outlined within the body of the report and attached appendices. 

1.8        Relevant Documents

1.8.1   Appendices

Appendix A: Certification of claims and returns – annual report.

1.8.2   Background Documents

None.