Issue - meetings

3.10pm

Representatives from the external auditors Ernst & Young will attend to present a report.

The report was noted.

The Chairman noted that he asked Ernst & Young for a written report after the pre-meeting briefing on Friday. as he was not happy with verbal reports. Councillor Carter was happy to receive verbal reports, however would appreciate additional narrative to aid Members with their discussions prior to the meeting

Sarah Cox added that she had just met with Ernst & Young representatives in order to clarify when written reports are needed in the Work Programme.

Adrian Balmer reported that they were now in the planning phase and that the Audit Plan will be brought to the March meeting.  The January meeting was a little too early for this.

He responded to issues raised by members of the Committee as follows:

·         The Audit Results Report will be presented to the Committee meeting on 22 July.  It is expected that they will meet the deadline of 31 July as they did last year.

·         The threshold for “significant” contracts will be stated in the plan.  A sample of contracts will be reviewed and they will examine any non-standard terms.  This work will link to the work of internal audit.

·         In cases where the volume of business may have a wider impact than the monetary value, this can be taken into account in the risk assessment.

·         The objection on the 2016/17 accounts has been cleared.  With the 2017/18 objection, they responded to the PSAA before Christmas and await their consideration. 

Councillor Glynis Phillips asked that the external auditors take a look at any contracts with the NHS as she would be interested in their views.

N.B. Minutes amended at the meeting on 27 May 2020  as shown above in strikethrough and bold italics.