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ITEM CG12

BEST VALUE COMMITTEE – 26 FEBRUARY 2003

DISTRICT AUDIT - ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2001/2002

Report by Director for Business Support & County Treasurer

Introduction

  1. The District Auditor has issued her Annual Audit Letter for 2001/2002. (download as .doc file). This Letter represents a summary of the Auditor’s work and key findings relating to the financial year 2001/2002. Copies of this letter have been circulated separately to all County Councillors, directors and senior officers. It is available for public inspection and a copy will be posted on the council’s Web Site. Key themes can be found on pages 2, 3 and 4 of the Letter.

  2. An earlier draft of the Letter was circulated to all directors and senior officers in December 2002 for comment on factual accuracy. Following receipt of comments the District Auditor produced a revised draft Letter which was considered at the Informal Audit Meeting on 27 January 2003.

  3. Judith Tench, District Auditor, will attend the meeting to give a brief presentation and answer any questions relating to her letter.

  4. District Audit has now been embraced within the Audit Commission and this Letter is the last formal communication from the District Audit.

    5. Annual Audit Letter 2001/2002 – Key Themes

  5. The key themes emerging from the Letter are:

    • CPA – ensure that priorities are monitored and improvements achieved

    • Best Value – review arrangements for setting targets and ensure BVPP contains required performance information

    • Use of Resources – simplify forward plan and strengthen partnership working. Reduce level of unfilled school places

    • Accounts – review closedown process and continue to improve submission and preparation of grant claims

    • Legality – provide detailed information relating to HOP transfer

    • Financial standing – monitor financial strategy and increase balances

    • Financial control – address identified weaknesses and consider how best to address corporate governance agenda

Action Plan 2001/2002

  1. Attached to the Letter is an Action Plan (download as .doc file) containing the District Auditor’s 12 main recommendations. This Plan has been circulated to directors and senior officers for response and I will provide an oral update on progress at the meeting. A completed Action Plan showing the responsible officer and their comments will be sent to the District Auditor.

    2. Action Points for 2000/2001

  2. Attached, as Annex A, (download as .doc file) is a list of the action points, raised by the District Auditor in her Management Letter for 2000/2001 and action taken.

    3. RECOMMENDATIONS

  3. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. receive the Annual Audit Letter and associated Action Plan 2001/2002 and note any comments from Judith Tench, District Auditor;

          2. review the completed Action Plan for 2000/2001 and endorse officer action.

CHRIS GRAY
Director for Business Support & County Treasurer

Background Papers: Annual Audit Letter 2000/2001; Annual Audit Letter 2001/2002

Contact Officer: Michael Rolton, Financial Control and Operations Manager, Tel: Oxford 815440

February 2003

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