Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Ernst & Young External Auditor.

The Audit Planning report from Ernst & Young summarised the strategy for the audit of the financial statements and the associated value for money conclusion for 2018/19. The External Auditor confirmed the financial statements were sound and that Ernst and Young had no concerns about the council’s value for money.

The following was said in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          Ernst & Young External Auditor: The Cambridge Live fee range in the Officer’s report was an estimate that may vary once Ernst & Young had reviewed Cambridge Live figures. The report was written before the decision was made to bring Cambridge Live back in-house.

     ii.          Head of Finance: Before leaving Charity Main had been diligent in her hand over of notes and knowledge to colleagues in the Finance Department. The Head of Finance would review the situation to mitigate risks of an experienced officer leaving, but no issues were expected. The Interim Deputy Head of Finance was experienced in this area.

   iii.          Head of Finance: Wished to reassure Committee that whilst bringing Cambridge Live back in-house was a risk, a number of officers were supporting the hand over. The Head of Finance was overseeing arrangements but not all of these were under the Council’s control.

Councillor Robertson said the Council would apply appropriate financial systems.

Unanimously resolved to note the contents of the external audit plan.