Agenda item

The Council will receive a presentation and report from the External Auditor summarising the key issues identified during the audit of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL FROM THE AUDIT AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE:-

(i)            That the External Auditor’s (ISA 260) Report 2022/23 be approved; 

(ii)          That the findings on the current position with regard to the Value for Money conclusion be noted (as not completed); and

(iii)         That the findings from the audit work in relation to the 2022/23 Financial Statements be noted.

Mr Gareth Mills (Engagement Lead) representing Grant Thornton, the Authority’s External Auditor, made a presentation on the ISA 260 report 2022/23; the report to those charged with Governance.

Mr Mills outlined the roles and responsibilities of the External Auditor with specific reference to the work undertaken in relation to the Accounts, The Annual Governance Statement, and Value for Money arrangements to date as well as explaining how this role was undertaken.

It was noted that regular liaison had taken place with senior officers, and a positive working relationship was in place with officers in finance and audit.

Members were advised that an unqualified ‘clean’ opinion was expected to be issued, with Barnsley being one of the few councils nationally that met the statutory deadline of presenting draft accounts to auditors by 31 May. There were no major weaknesses identified in financial systems, and no audit adjustments were required that would impact on usable reserves.

With regards to value for money, the review of the Council’s arrangements including Financial Sustainability; Governance; and Improving Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness, was expected to conclude in January 2024. There were no issues currently highlighted which would prevent the signing of the 2022/23 accounts, with the position of the Council being balanced and achievable in the short term.  Over the medium to long term, the position was more challenging, which reflected the national position.

Key elements of ongoing work were presented, which included consideration of the response to the Ofsted/CQC review and written statement of action, and the DSG deficit and safety valve funding support.

A number of Councillors thanked Mr Mills and his team for the hard work over the past few years.  Thanks were also provided to Members and officers involved, including those in finance and audit.

Following the discussion the report was then Moved by Councillor Frost – Seconded by Councillor Bowser; and

RESOLVED:-

i)             That the External Auditor’s (ISA 260) Report 2022/23 be approved;

ii)            That the findings on the current position with regards to the Value for Money conclusion be noted (as not completed); and

iii)          That the findings from the audit work in relation to the 2022/23 Financial Statements be noted.