Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Mullin introduced the report and explained that the Annual Audit Summary was in place of the Annual Improvement Report (AIR) and the Annual Audit Letter.  The report summarised the audit and regulatory work undertaken at the Council by Audit Wales since the last report was published in July 2019.

Overall the Auditor General for Wales had reached a positive conclusion: “The Auditor General certified that the Council has met its legal duties for improvement planning and reporting and believes that it is likely to meet the requirements of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 during 2020/21”.

The Chief Executive added that no formal recommendations had been made during the year.

There were a number of new proposals for improvement and proposals of development arising from the reviews undertaken by Audit Wales.  The Auditor General gave an unqualified true and fair opinion on the Council’s financial statements on 14^th September 2020, in line with the statutory deadline.

The report had been submitted to Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Audit Committee and no specific comments were made.

Councillor Bithell queried why there was no comment in the report on Out of County placements as this was not a sustainable financial position.  If it was referenced in the report of the Auditor General it could help to raise the issues being faced with Welsh Government (WG).  The Chief Executive explained that the report focussed on technical financial strategy.  Audit Wales was aware of the pressures with Out of County placements and he would make enquires as to what was on their forward work plan for their future consideration. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet be assured by the Auditor General for Wales’ Annual Audit Summary Report for 2019/20.