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ITEM EX18

EXECUTIVE – 22 JANUARY 2002

DISTRICT ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2000/2001

Report by Director for Business Support & County Treasurer

Introduction

  1. The District Auditor has issued his new style Annual Audit Letter (formerly the Management Letter) for 2000/01. This Letter represents a summary of the Auditor’s work and key findings relating to the financial year 2000/01. Copies of this letter have been circulated separately to all County Councillors, Directors and Chief Officers. A copy is also available for public inspection and has been put on the County 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 Chief Officers in November 2001 for comment on factual accuracy. Following receipt of comments, the District Auditor produced a revised draft Letter which was considered at an informal meeting of the Political Group Leaders on 17 December 2001.

  3. Stephen Warren, District Auditor, will attend the meeting to give a brief presentation and answer any questions on his Letter.

    4. Annual Audit Letter 2000/2001 – Key Themes

  4. The key themes emerging from the Letter are;

    • preparation for and implementation of new Political Management;

    • further developments for Corporate Governance and Accountability;

    • development of cross-boundary initiatives;

    • need to develop and strengthen an effective performance framework;

    • need to develop and maintain effective financial control and legality standards.

  1. The Letter also suggests that the Council should, "consider establishing an appropriate forum for considering both internal and external reports and monitoring achievement of agreed plans". Officers are developing options and will report back to a future meeting of the Executive (currently forward plan ref: 1/2002 Scheduled for 19 February 2002).

    2. Action Plan 2000/2001

  2. Attached to the Letter is an Action Plan for considering the District Auditor’s 11 main recommendations. This Plan was circulated to directors/chief officers for response and/or proposals. An Action Plan showing the responsible officer and their comments is attached to this report at Annex 1.(download as .rtf file)

    3. Action Points for 1999/2000

  3. Attached, as Annex 2 (download as .rtf file) is a list of the action points, raised by the District Auditor in his Management Letter for 1999/2000 with a summary of the action taken.

    4. RECOMMENDATIONS

  4. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. consider any additional comments by the District Auditor in the course of his presentation and, subject thereto, receive his Annual Audit Letter;

          2. note progress on the completed Action Plan for 1999/2000 and endorse the action points specified in relation to the 2000/01 Annual Audit Letter.

 

CHRIS GRAY
Director for Business Support & County Treasurer

Background Papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Michael Rolton, Tel: Oxford 815440

January 2001

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