Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Finance and Customer Services summarising the proposed amendments to the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 and outlining the implications for the Council.  It was noted that, inter alia, the amended regulations removed the requirement for Members to approve the Statement of Accounts prior to it being submitted for external audit.  Instead, the Statement would need to be signed by the Director of Regeneration and Communities, as the responsible financial officer, by 30 June and then approved by Members by 30 September following the external audit.  Other more minor changes included a requirement for the Statement of Internal Control to accompany the Statement of Accounts rather than be part of it and for the notes to be part of the Statement of Accounts rather than accompany it.

The Committee indicated that it would wish to review the Statement of Accounts after it had been signed by the Director of Regeneration and Communities and submitted for external audit.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed amendments to the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 be noted and that arrangements be made for the Committee to meet in July each year in order to review the Statement of Accounts after it has been signed by the Director of Regeneration and Communities, as the responsible financial officer, and submitted for external audit.