Decision details

Purpose of Report

To consider for information the statement of accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2021, following completion of the audit opinion. 

Decision

That following scrutiny of the statement of accounts for the financial year ended on 31 March 2021, the statement of accounts be recommended to Council on 18 January 2022 for approval.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None. The Council was required to publish its statement of accounts for the financial year 2020/21 with an audit opinion and certificate by no later than 30 November 2021. This date had been extended from the usual deadline of 31 July owing to Covid-19.

Reasons for the Decision

The statement of accounts for 2020/21 provided a comprehensive picture of the Council’s financial circumstances and had been compiled to demonstrate probity and stewardship of public funds. It was noted that the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21 was subject to final verification by the external auditor, Mazars, who had commenced their audit in July 2021. Any material changes to be necessary as a result of this final external audit work, these would be reported back to the Executive. 

The Council made the statement of accounts available for public inspection for the required ten working days, between 2 and 13 August 2021, during which time, the external auditor received no questions.

During the completion of the external audit there were five misstatements above the threshold level of £49,000; and two of these had been amended in the final version of the statement of Accounts.

The Council was also required to review of the effectiveness of its governance arrangements and the overall level of assurance provided in 2020/21 was substantial (green) and was in line with the Council’s code of corporate governance.