Issue - meetings
UPDATE ON EXTERNAL AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS 2020-21
Meeting: 24/10/2023 - Audit and Risk Management Committee (Item 25)
25 UPDATE ON EXTERNAL AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS 2020-21 
PDF 283 KB
The PDF files contained within the appendices of this report may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices. Please contact dianegrisdale@wirral.gov.uk if you would like this document in an accessible format.
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - 2020-21 VFM Governance Company and Investment Recommendations, item 25
PDF 372 KB
- Appendix 2 - Wirral Council Auditors Annual Report Company Governance and Other Investments 2020-21, item 25
PDF 8 MB
- Appendix 3 - Wirral Councils Auditors Annual Report 2020-21, item 25
PDF 9 MB
- Appendix 4 - Wirral Council Procurement Strategy, item 25
PDF 558 KB
- Webcast for UPDATE ON EXTERNAL AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS 2020-21
Minutes:
The Head of Finance – Corporate presented a report of the Director of Finance which provided an update on progress that had been made in addressing recommendations that were highlighted by the Council’s External Auditors (Grant Thornton) in the Council’s main audit 2020/21 Accounts in January 2022. Appendix 1 of the report outlined progress that had been made in addressing the recommendations highlighted. It was reported that a number of the recommendations were linked to the External Assurance Review reports published by Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for which the actions were completed. In addition, Appendix 4 of the report provided Members with the Draft Procurement Strategy. The Head of Finance – Corporate clarified that Section 4 of the Procurement Strategy did not reflect current spend position, and that the updated position would be brought to a future committee meeting.
Members discussed the progress made against the recommendations highlighted within the report including the consideration of future investments in terms of its financial resilience, and the balance between social value and costs when procuring services.
Following a discussion relating to scrutiny of Council contracts, the Consultant Lawyer confirmed that primary responsibility for carrying out scrutiny functions in relation to contracts lay with the relevant policy and service committee that commissioned the contract in the first instance. If a contract was deemed to pose a systemic risk to the Council’s finances, the Audit and Risk Management Committee could review the matter retrospectively.
Resolved – That
1. the report be noted; and
2. The updated response to the external auditor’s recommendations be approved for onward circulation to the Policy & Resources Committee.