The Committee
considered the report of the Interim Head of Revenues and Benefits
summarising the outcome of the work undertaken by Grant Thornton,
the External Auditor, to certify the Housing Benefits Subsidy Claim
submitted by the Council for the financial year 2015/16.
It was noted that:
·
The claim related to expenditure of £47.3m.
·
An issue was identified in the prior year around the classification
of Non-HRA Overpayments which resulted in the Council performing
additional work and making an amendment to the final 2014/15 Claim
Form. The Council had implemented new
procedures and had also undertaken a review ahead of the submission
of the 2015/16 Claim Form and made amendments where
required. Grant Thornton had reviewed
this work and agreed with the Council’s findings, which
enabled them to certify the Claim Form without the need for any
amendments or a Qualification Letter.
Members recognised
that the certification of the Claim Form without the need for any
amendments or a Qualification Letter was a significant
achievement.
RESOLVED: That
the assurance provided by Grant Thornton that the Council maintains
a strong control environment for the preparation and monitoring of
grant claims and returns be noted, and that the Officers be
congratulated on the outcome of the certification work.