Agenda item

External Audit - Annual Report on grants and returns 2015/16

 

The Committee will receive a report of the External Auditor summarising the work undertaken on the Council’s 2015/16 grant claims and returns including the work completed under the Public Sector Audit appointment certification arrangements, on the work undertaken on other grants/returns under separate engagement terms, detailing the certification work on the Housing Subsidy Benefit claim and outlining the fees for undertaking this work.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the External Auditor summarising the work undertaken on the Council’s 2015/16 grant claims and returns including the work completed under the Public Sector Audit appointment certification arrangements, on the work undertaken on other grants/returns under separate engagement terms, detailing the certification work on the Housing Subsidy Benefit claim and outlining the fees for undertaking this work.

 

Mr M Moore, representing the External Auditor, commented that the only qualification had been in relation to the Housing Subsidy Benefit claim and the issues identified had been minor.  No adjustments had been necessary to the other Council’s grants and returns as a result of the certification work, which was the same as in previous years.  In addition, it was noted that the fees were approximately half those charged in the previous year.  He also asked to place on record his thanks to the Finance Team for all their help and support throughout the process.

 

In the ensuing discussion the following matters were highlighted:

 

·         There was a discussion of the background to the qualification of the Housing Subsidy Benefit Claims and the reasons for it.  It was noted that only 6 areas had been identified and that similar errors had not been seen in the last two years.

·         It was noted that Barnsley was in no different situation to most other Authorities in relation to the qualification of Housing Subsidy Benefit Claims.  Mr Moore commented that he had never issued an unqualified opinion on such claims.  The Service Director Finance commented that the wording of the Statutory Instrument meant that there was little chance of getting a clean bill of health, however, the areas identified were very minor compared to the overall value of the claims

 

RESOLVED that the Annual Report on grants and returns 2015/16 be received.

Supporting documents:

 

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