Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
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Agenda Item No. 7

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

 

Council Meeting 27th September 2017

 

Report of Section 151 Officer

 

Statement of Accounts 2016/17

 

Purpose of the Report

  1. To approve the Statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement and agree the Final Letter of Representation for 2016/17.

Recommendations

  1. That the Letter of Representation to the Wales Audit Office for 2016/17 be noted and is agreed and signed and dated by the Mayor as Chairman of the Council.
  2. That the Annual Governance Statement (within the Statement of Accounts) for 2016/17 be approved and signed and dated by the Leader of the Council.
  3. That the Statement of Accounts for 2016/17 be approved and signed and dated by the Mayor as Chairman of the Council.

Reasons for the Recommendations

  1. That the signed representation letter is returned to the Wales Audit Office.
  2. That the Annual Governance Statement is signed and dated as required.
  3. That the Statement of Accounts be approved prior to the deadline.

Background

  1. The Council's external auditors have completed the audit of the Council's Financial Statements for 2016/17 and amendments have been incorporated therein.

Relevant Issues and Options

2016/17 Statement of Accounts

  1. The Audit Committee on 20th September 2017 considered an agenda item entitled 'Audit of the 2016/17 Financial Statements - Reporting to Those Charged with Governance'. Committee recommended that the report of the Wales Audit Office be approved and the 2016/17 Financial Statements, including the Final Letter of Representation, be recommended for signature by those authorised.
  2. As mentioned above, the Wales Audit Office requires the Authority to sign a final Letter of Representation which is attached at Appendix 1. I have consulted with the Monitoring Officer and appropriate officers in order that I can sign the said letter as Section 151 Officer.
  3. Under the Accounts and Audit Regulations, the Statement of Accounts must be approved before the 30th September and signed and dated by the Mayor as Chairman of the Council. The Statement of Accounts is attached at Appendix 2 and has already been considered and endorsed by the Audit Committee.
  4. In addition the Annual Governance Statement needs to be formally approved by Council and signed and dated by the Leader of the Council. This statement is part of the Statement of Accounts and has already been considered and endorsed by the Audit Committee.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

  1. There are no implications.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

  1. None as a direct consequence of this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

  1. The Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2014 require the Council to prepare a Statement of Accounts for each financial year (with an Annual Governance Statement).

Crime and Disorder Implications

  1. There are no crime and disorder implications.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

  1. There are no equal opportunity implications.

Corporate/Service Objectives

  1. Provide sound financial management and reliable advice in relation to all issues affecting the Council including the production of the statutory accounts.

Policy Framework and Budget

  1. The proposals in this report need to be approved by Council.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

  1. The appropriate Chief Officers have been consulted on this report. This report does not require Ward Member consultation.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

  1. Corporate Performance and Resources

Background Papers

None

Contact Officer

Gemma Jones

Principal Accountant

01446 709152

Officers Consulted

Monitoring Officer and other appropriate officers

Responsible Officer:

Carys Lord

Section 151 Officer