Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services.

Consideration was given to the Grant Thornton Update Report as contained on pages 185 to 199 of the Book of Reports.

The Chairman invited Georgia Jones, Key Audit Partner - Grant Thornton, to present the report to the Committee.

Comments and questions were raised as follows:

·         Difficulties during Pandemic and catch-up work/capacity issues in Team

·         A staff re-structure of the Finance Team at WLBC has been undertaken and this will now provide stability moving forward

·         A notice of delay for the 2020/21 audit has been published on the Council's website in line with regulation

·         Clarification/breakdown of the increase in fees - Grant Thornton/ Justify to PSAA for agreement

·         Project Plan for Audit 2020/21 – Autumn 2022

·         Grant Thornton revising samples following some changes made to the 2020/21 Accounts

·         Civica Improvement modules / wider transactional

·         Impact on Annual Governance Statement due to non-receipt of 2020/21 Accounts

·         Audit deliverables - The Head of Finance commented that revised 20/21 Accounts, in full Group format, would be distributed to members of the Audit and Governance Committee by 31 August 2022

RESOLVED: That the Grant Thornton Progress Update Report be noted.