The Director of Resources reported upon the process for completion of the Statement of Accounts 2013/2014 and advised that the Council’s Constitution allocated responsibility for the approval of the Statement of Accounts to the Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Statement for 2013/2014 was required to be issued by 30 June 2014 and would be subject to audit by the appointed auditors, Grant Thornton, who would present their findings to the 17 September 2014 meeting of the Committee. The Accounts would be made available for public inspection from 21 July to 15 August 2014 and, from 18 August until the conclusion of the audit process, any local government elector for the area of the Council may ask the Auditor questions about the Accounts and/or object to the Council’s Accounts.

The Director advised Members that a briefing session would take place on the Accounts and whilst, specifically for Members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, the session would be open to all Members of the Council. Following the Committee’s consideration, on 17 September 2014, of Grant Thornton’s Audit Findings Report, approval of any amendments to the Statement of Accounts, agreement of the Letter of Representation and the approval of the Statement of Accounts for 2013/2014, Grant Thornton would, before the statutory deadline of 30 September 2014, issue the Audit Opinion and state whether the Accounts were a true and fair view of the financial position of the Council at 31 March 2014.

Resolved –

(1)  That the process for the completion of the Statement of Accounts 2013/2014 be agreed.

(2)  That the briefing session for Members on ‘Understanding the Council’s Statement of Accounts’ be held on 10 September 2014 and that all Members of the Council be invited to attend.