Issue - meetings

The Council has a statutory duty to conduct a review of its internal control system at least once a year.  In addition it must publish an Annual Governance Statement with its annual financial statements.  These duties are contained within the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006. 

The Annual Governance Statement has been circulated widely to numerous consultees including senior committee members and senior managers.  The final Annual Governance Statement reflects their corporate input. 

Recommendations

(a)       that the Annual Governance Statement be approved and any further changes needed be identified; and

(b)       that it be confirmed that the system of internal control is effective. 

The Committee noted that the Council had a statutory duty to conduct a review of its internal control system at least once a year.  In addition it must publish an Annual Governance Statement with its annual financial statements.  These duties were contained within the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006. 

The Annual Governance Statement had been circulated widely to numerous consultees, including Committee Members and senior managers.  The final Annual Governance Statement reflected their input.  It was noted that the format of the Statement had been provided by South Oxfordshire District Council, with adjustments being made to tailor it for the Vale. 

The External Auditor, Maria Grindley, present at the meeting, confirmed that she was satisfied with the content of the Statement. 

The Committee suggested two amendments:

• Paragraph 3.2 should be amended to reflect that the Council appointed the Executive membership
• Paragraph 3.6 should be re-written to reflect the role of the Council as policy maker and budget setter and to reflect the Executive’s role as implementer of policy and the budget

RESOLVED

(a)       that the Annual Governance Statement be approved, subject to the two amendments highlighted above; and

(b)       that it be confirmed that the system of internal control is effective.