Issue - decisions

The Committee received a report from the Principal Accountant (Technical & Financial Accounting) regarding the Audit and Accounts Regulation which govern the preparation, approval and of local authority accounts. From the 2017/18 financial year these regulations would change the statutory timetable for the approval and audit of the Statement of Accounts.

In response to members’ questions the Democratic Services Manager said the following:

     i.        Historically general elections were held in the months of February, May, June and October. If an election was called in July, non-political business could be undertaken if agreed (such as the Statement of Accounts) but ultimately it was a decision of the Senior Management Team.

    ii.        The cycle of meetings 2017/18 would be presented to the September meeting of the Civic Affairs Committee. Discussions were still on-going to determine if the new July meeting would be in addition to, or replace, the meeting in June. 

Resolved (unanimously):

     i.        To agree to take a report at the February meeting of the Civic Affairs Committee in each year at which approval would be sought for any required changes in accounting policy and any expected significant areas of judgement would be highlighted.

    ii.        To approve a change in the calendar to move the meeting of the Civic Affairs Committee normally held in June each year until the end of July to facilitate the statutory requirement for them to approve audited accounts by the 31 July.