The District Auditor presented the 2007/2008 Annual Audit and Inspection Letter, which had been presented to the Cabinet on 23 April 2009 (minute 465 refers). It provided an overall summary of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council and drew upon the most recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), the findings and conclusions from the audit of the Council for 2007/2008 and from any inspections undertaken since the last Annual Audit and Inspection Letter. It confirmed that Wirral Council had improved its final assessment under CPA and was assessed as three star and improving well. He highlighted the key messages contained within the document and set out the action needed to be taken by the Council and its partners. Further detailed findings, conclusions and recommendations on the areas covered by audit and inspection work were included in reports that had been issued to the Council during the year. The report also noted that the Council had taken a positive and constructive approach to audit and inspection work and the District Auditor thanked the Council’s staff for their support and cooperation during the audit.

He indicated that the first results in relation to the CAA would be published in Autumn 2009 and would include performance data from 2008/2009, the first year of the new National Indicator Set and key aspects of the Local Area Agreement.

In response to a question from a member in relation to the assessment for Financial Reporting being lower than other local comparable authorities, the District Auditor confirmed that the score of two reflected their assessment of errors within the accounts that were above the Audit Commission’s materiality level.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The District Auditor presented the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter 2007/2008. It provided an overall summary of the Audit Commission's assessment of the Council and drew upon the most recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), the findings and conclusions from the audit of the Council for 2007/2008 and from any inspections undertaken since the last Annual Audit and Inspection Letter.

He set out the key messages contained within the report and commented that Wirral Council had improved its final assessment under CPA and was assessed as three star and improving well. Good overall progress was being made against local priorities and the Council had significantly improved levels of recycling and cleanliness. Good progress was also being made to regenerate the area and the Council had been successful in attracting and supporting new business in the Borough.

He set out the action needed to be taken by the Council and indicated that further detailed findings, conclusions and recommendations on the areas covered by audit and inspection work were included in reports that had been issued to the Council during the year. He commented also that the Council had taken a positive and constructive approach to audit and inspection work and he thanked the Council’s staff for their support and cooperation during the audit.

Resolved –

(1) That Cabinet welcomes the report of the Audit Commission and notes the conclusion that Wirral has improved to being a 3 star Council that is improving well.

(2) That officers be requested to bring forward a report setting out proposals to address the areas identified in the report for further action, in particular those set out in paragraphs 9 to 13.