Issue - meetings

To consider the annual audit letter from the Audit Commission. 

Anne Ockleston of the Audit Commission presented her report: the annual audit letter 2009/10.  She gave an unqualified opinion on the council’s 2009/10 financial statements.  The council had satisfactory arrangements to secure economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources.  Although she identified three errors in the accounts, the council’s officers had corrected these.  Mrs Ockleston did not identify any significant weakness in the council’s internal control systems.  The committee welcomed this. 

The committee noted that although the Audit Commission was no longer required to score the council’s use of resources, the council would have achieved at least a level two, if not level three. 

The committee also noted that audit fees charged to the council for 2010/11, set in April 2010, might be reduced due to changes in auditing requirements during the year.  However, the amount of rebate was unknown at this stage. 

In answer to a question, councillors noted that the council would have preferential status in its claim against Landsbanki, following the loss of investment in the Icelandic bank. 

RESOLVED

To note the contents of the annual audit letter 2009/10 from the Audit Commission.