Issue - meetings

The Chairman welcomed Mr. P. Jones (Engagement Lead) and Ms. Z. Thomas (Engagement Manager) from Grant Thornton to the meeting.

The Board considered the Certification work report 2011/2012 from Grant Thornton. 

Ms. Z. Thomas introduced the report and is doing so informed the Board that it was a ‘good news’ report.  There had been a fee reduction due to the lower number of errors identified in initial testing of the Housing and council tax benefit scheme so less further testing had been required.  Member’s attention was drawn to page 12 of the report, summary of Council performance, Key Message:-

·         All claims were submitted on time to audit and all claims were certified within the required deadline.

·         Overall the Council was performing well and there were no significant matters arising from their certification of claims and returns.  There was excellent cooperation over the housing benefits audit and savings on the audit fee accrued as a result.

·         Supporting working papers were generally of a good standard, which enabled certification within the deadlines.

Ms. Z. Thomas informed the Board there had been no significant findings arising from the audits and that the recommendations for improvement were detailed in Appendix C of the report.

Members were asked to note that the expenditure figure shown in paragraph 3.4, page 7 of the report to read £45m and not £71m as shown.

RESOLVED that, subject to the amendment as detailed in the preamble above, the Grant Thornton Certification work report 2011/2012 and action plan as detailed in the report be noted.