Issue - meetings

That the content of the Grant Claim Certification report for 2017/18 be noted.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented the Wales Audit Office (WAO) annual report on grant claim certification for the year ending 31 March 2018.

Whilst the findings did not present a major risk to performance, they did not reflect the standards expected and officers were continuing to work closely with WAO to improve the quality of claims.  Work was underway on the detailed action plan and the report would be shared with the Accounts Governance Group and Chief Officers to ensure ownership and action.  In providing context, the Corporate Finance Manager advised that the £11,151 net adjustment to claims was a small proportion of the overall grants total of £129m with no financial loss to the Council.

In summarising the key points, Mr. Mike Whiteley of WAO commented on the slight deterioration in performance where half of the audited claims were qualified and he recognised there was scope for improvement.  The reduction in the number of grant claims for the period was due to the introduction of the Welsh Government (WG) Single Summary of Grants on which a number of errors had been made (in addition to WG issues with the guidance and template).  Mr. Whiteley said that this was disappointing as the Council’s processes and performance were generally sound, and suggested that the new arrangement may have caused confusion.  He circulated a revised summary of certification work outcomes due to formatting issues on the published report.  The recommendations had been accepted by management and teams were working with WAO to implement the actions.

In thanking WAO colleagues for the report, the Chief Executive said that whilst the individual issues were not significant, collectively they gave rise to concerns.  Work had started on the agreed actions and would be monitored.

The Internal Audit Manager confirmed that a review of Corporate Grants had been included in the Audit Plan for 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the Grant Claim Certification report for 2017/18 be noted.