Issue - meetings

Debra Chamberlain, KPMG, presented the Annual Audit Letter (AAL) 2015/16 produced by KPMG summarising the external audit work in relation to the 2015/16 audit plan and highlighted the findings in relation to the following:

Value for Money Conclusion

Audit of Financial Statements

Any Other Matters the external auditor was required to communicate.

A copy of the AAL was attached to the report.

The main headlines from the AAL in relation to the accounts and other audit responsibilities were that:-

-          As last year, the external auditor had issued a qualified Value for Money conclusion

-          The Council’s financial statements were produced to a good standard with only one minor presentational change being made.  The financial statements were given an unqualified audit opinion on 26^th September.  The Narrative Report published alongside the financial statements was consistent with KPMG’s understanding

-          The Annual Governance Statement approved September’s Audit Committee (Minute No. 19 refers), was consistent with KPMG understanding an compliant with the CIPFA/SOLACE framework in local government

-          The Council’s consolidation pack prepared to support the production of Whole of Government Accounts by HM Treasury was consistent with the audited financial statements

-          There were no high priority recommendations or other matters that needed to be brought to the attention of the Audit Committee

Resolved:- That the final Annual Audit Letter 2015/16 presented to the Council by its external auditors, KPMG LLP, be noted and approved for publication on the Council’s website.