Issue - meetings

Ms. Z. Thomas presented the Audit Commission Certification of Claims and Returns Annual Report undertaken during 2010/2011.  Members were informed that a review had been undertaken on all grant related claims that the Council submitted.  There were 3 claims that were subject to External Audit: Housing Benefits Claim, National Non domestic rates (NNDR) claim and Disabled Facilities Grant.  This year the Council had further improved its arrangements to ensure that claims and returns that required certification were prepared in accordance with the grant paying bodies’ relevant terms and conditions.  The work carried out by officers had reduced the amount of external audit time spent which had resulted in a reduced fee and was a positive for the Council. 

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources responded to Members questions’ with regard to NNDR arrears and informed Members that internal audit had discussed NNDR arrears with the Revenue Services Manager and information was provided at agenda item number 14, Appendix 4.  The Revenue Services Manager was currently working through aged debt and would continue to provide updated information on NNDR arrears to future meetings of the Audit Board through the Internal Audit, Action Tracker.

RESOLVED:

(a)               that, subject to the updated information on NNDR arrears as referred to in the preamble above, the Certification of Claims and Returns – Annual Report be noted; and

(b)               that officers respond to the Recommendations as set out in the report.