Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28 June 2011.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 June 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available at the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/democracy).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the District Auditor, Audit Commission.

This report presents the results of the Audit Commission’s work for 2010/11.

The Committee is invited to:-

•           Consider the matters raised in the report before approving the financial statements;

•           Note the adjustments to the financial statements.

•           Approve the letter of representation on behalf of the Council; and

•           Agree a response to the proposed action plan.

Officer contact: Tim Watkinson, e mail t-watkinson@audit-commission.gov.uk

Tim Watkinson, District Auditor, Audit Commission submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the findings from the 2010/11 audit including key messages arising from the audit of financial statements and work undertaken to assess the Council's arrangements to secure value for money in respect to the use of resources.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

• The valuation of Manchester Airport and the need to review the appropriateness of this valuation method on a regular basis.
• Internal control and the quality of financial statements.
• Value for money criteria  - arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources.The accounts were once again prepared to a high standard with good supporting working papers and he had not identified any material errors;
• It was  intended to issue an unqualified conclusion stating that the Council had proper arrangements in place to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources

RESOLVED –   (1) That the suggested adjustments to the financial statements, as set out in the report, be noted.

(2) That the letter of representation on behalf of the Council, as set out in Appendix 4, be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

The Committee is requested to approve the final Annual Governance Statement.

Officer Contact: Niki Riley on 0161 474 4033 or emal: niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2010/11 which included an action plan identifying actions required to address governance issues identified as significant through the review of the Council's governance arrangements.

RESOLVED - That the Annual Governance Statement 2010/11 be approved and that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be recommended to sign it.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

The Audit Commission has completed the audit of the Council’s accounts and it is now necessary for this Committee to consider the issues that have arisen during the audit, agree the changes and approve the final Statement of Accounts.

The Committee is recommended to approve the changes to the Statement of Accounts 2010/11.

Officer contact: Christine Buxton on 0161 474 4124 or e mail christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to consider issues which arose during the audit of the Council's accounts, to agree to any proposed changes and to approve the final Statement of Accounts. A further information pack was submitted as the meeting which contained a number of minor amendments which had arisen since the report had been circulated to Councillors.

RESOLVED - (1) That the 2010/11 Accounts be approved.

(2) That the thanks of the Committee be extended to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and his colleagues for their excellent work in producing the accounts.

To consider a report of the Chief Internal Auditor.                                           

This report details the progress against the current approved audit plan and summarises the outcomes of individual audit reviews.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

Officer contact: Niki Riley on 0161 474 4033 or e mail

niki.riley@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Internal Auditor submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting progress against the approved internal audit plan 2011/12. The report included the internal audit local performance indicators.

The following issues were discussed/ comments made:-

• The current staffing arrangements and proposed new structure for the service which will be in place by April 1 2012.
• Councillors asked that their congratulations be passed to the two Senior Auditors who had recently passed their exams for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors respectively.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Chief Internal Auditor be requested to circulate further information in respect to the Service level contacts with SSK.

Representatives of the Audit Commission will attend the meeting and provide an update.

Tim Watkinson, District Auditor, Audit Commission attended the meeting and provided an update in respect to the future of external audit, the implications of the Procurement Strategy and how that will affect the allocation of external auditors in the future.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.