Issue - meetings

The Committee was asked to consider a report which detailed the amended Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) Annual Return 2011/2012, which included the Accounting Statements for the Joint Committee for the period 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2012.

With the agreement of the Chairman the External auditor’s certificate and opinion for the year ended 31st March 2012 was distributed to all Members present.

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources, Bromsgrove District Council introduced the report and in doing so drew Member’s attention to the reasons for the amended report.  The initial WRS Annual Return 2011/2012 approved by Members at the Joint Committee meeting on 28th June 2012, included the pension adjustments.  Following further clarification and the advice given in relation to the presentation of the reserves relating to pension adjustments, the amended WRS Annual Return 2011/2012 excluded the pension adjustments as now advised by the new External Auditors, Clement Keys.

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources, Bromsgrove District Council informed Members that she had sought assurance from Clement Keys in respect of governance arrangements.  More specifically if any concerns were raised at a later date, that the Joint Committee approved and the Chairman signed the initial Accounting Statements on 28th June 2012 and that the amended Accounting Statements were approved by the Joint Committee and signed by the Chairman on 27th September 2012.  Clement Keys had acknowledged the concerns expressed by the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources, Bromsgrove District Council and had agreed to confirm in writing that it was their error and therefore no concerns would be raised at a later date.

RESOLVED that the amended Worcestershire Regulatory Services Annual Return 2011/2012, to include the Accounting Statements for the Joint Committee for the period 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2012, be approved.