Issue - meetings

That the content of the Grant Claim Certification for 2016/17 be noted.

The Finance Manager (Corporate Accounting & Systems) presented the Wales Audit Office (WAO) annual report on grant claim certification for the year ending 31 March 2017.

The report had recognised improvements in various areas, particularly in the number of grants submitted within the deadline, noting there was scope for further improvement.  The £3,120 net adjustment to claims was a small proportion of the overall grants total of £137m with no financial loss to the Council, and the one significant adjustment of £250,000 on the Local Transport Fund had been due to a timing issue.  Work was underway to address the recommendations from WAO and officers involved in the process were being reminded of their specific responsibilities.

In summarising the key points, Mr. Mike Whiteley of WAO spoke about the impact of qualification issues reported in previous financial years and was pleased to note that arrangements put in place by officers should assist the grants process for 2017/18.  He provided clarification on the single adjustment of £250,000 which had resulted in an increase of £3,120 in funds payable to the Council, and the reason for the increase in the overall fee for the grants work, as set out in the report.  In recognition of current pressures, WAO colleagues were to engage with Council officers on a quarterly basis to help identify further improvements to processes.

The Chief Executive commented on additional work on the certification of the Bus Services Support Grant following the collapse of GHA Coaches.  On the adjustment for the Local Transport Fund, he said that the Council’s ability to plan was affected by late notification of additional funding and encouraged WAO colleagues to take this up with Welsh Government as a financial planning practice.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the Grant Claim Certification for 2016/17 be noted.