MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Audit Committee

Monday 24 March 2014

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 Grant Thornton work to certify the grant and subsidy claims that the Council submitted during 2012/13.

1.2        Recommendation of Head of Revenues and Benefits

1.2.1 That the Committee notes the Grant Thornton 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 Grant Thornton undertook work to certify the two primary grant claims that are submitted by the Council with a combined value of £110,200,000.

• 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 overall assurance confirmed 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 Grant Thornton 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

Appendices

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

1.9        Background Documents

None

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?                  THIS BOX MUST BE COMPLETED   X     Yes                                               No     If yes, this is a Key Decision because: ……………………………………………………………..   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….     Wards/Parishes affected: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..