Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting. View directions

Contact: Tan Ashraf, Democratic Services Officer on 01455 255834 or email  tan.ashraf@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

384.

Apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Smith.

 

385.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 114 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Flemming, seconded by Councillor Walker and

 

                        RESOLVED - the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

386.

Declarations of interest

To receive verbally from members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

Minutes:

No interests were declared at this stage.

 

387.

2019-20 External Audit Planning Report pdf icon PDF 5 MB

Report of the external auditor.

Minutes:

The external audit planning report 2019/20 was presented to members. It was reported that there were no new risks since last year but two areas had increased risk due to uncertainties arising from Covid-19. It was also highlighted that another consequence of Covid-19 could mean an increase in the amounts written off as irrecoverable due to businesses and residents being unable to meet their financial obligations.

 

It was reported that there had been a national debate around fees being at an unsustainably low level and that there was a need to increase them to deliver an appropriate quality audit. The audit fees for 2019/20 were still to be largely determined as there had been additional services provided as a result of unforeseeable matters such as Covid-19. There would be separate discussions around this and these would be brought back to future Audit Committees.

 

In response to a question from a member it was clarified that money given in business grants relating to Covid-19 would be included in next year’s external audit.

 

The external auditor confirmed that the next audit would begin on Monday 3 August 2020 and had been moved from June 2020 due to Covid-19.

 

It was moved by Councillor P Williams, seconded by Councillor H Williams and unanimously

 

                        RESOLVED – the report be noted.

 

388.

Audit Committee Draft Statement update pdf icon PDF 372 KB

To present to the Audit Committee the draft Financial Statement 2019/20 that will be subject to external audit.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lynch entered the meeting at 6.50pm.

 

Members were presented with the draft Financial Statement for 2019/20 that would be subject to external audit.  It was explained that the annual governance statement was being finalised and it would be assumed that there would be no material changes in the balance sheet. The final statement would be as expected throughout the forecast for the year.

 

It was highlighted that the potential impact of Covid-19 for future financial years on issues including pensions, business rates and fixed assets could not be quantified yet. In response to a question from a member, it was noted that the impact of Brexit would also be included in the contingent liabilities as it could place significant pressure on the Council as well.

 

It was moved by Councillor Cook, seconded by Councillor Pendlebury and unanimously

 

                        RESOLVED - 

 

                        (i)        the draft financial statement report be noted;

 

                        (ii)        final draft approval to be delegated to the Audit Committee Chair once it had been shared with the committee members