Issue - meetings

To consider the Outturn Report for 2018/19.

The committee received a report which contained financial performance and position information for Dorset Council’s six predecessor authorities for the year ended 31 March 2019.  The report summarised the performance against budget and the impact this had had on each council’s closing position.  It also set out the impact of the outturn and other relevant events on general balances, other reserves and the financial position transferring to Dorset Council on 1 April 2019.

In addition, the report described work in progress to transition the six sovereign councils’ financial positions into a single system and a target date for achieving this.

A presentation was provided at the meeting which outlined the key aspects of the approval process.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and presentation and during discussion the following points were raised:

·                The Executive Director of Corporate Development provided an update on staffing relevant to the Finance area and paid tribute to officers for the work they had done in preparing the accounts for the former Councils

·                Councillor Peter Wharf attended the committee in the absence of the Finance, Commercial and Assets Portfolio Holder

·                The role of the Audit and Governance Committee was to seek assurance that the organisation had a proportionate and appropriate level of governance in place for the preparation of the accounts, which included an internal and external audit process.  At the meeting, councillors had the opportunity to ask questions of the auditor before a decision was taken to sign off the accounts

·                There were a number of qualifications from the External Auditor in some of the accounts and the committee had to make a judgement as to how the recommendations would be taken forward.  It was noted that not all accounts could be signed off at this meeting as there were elements of audit work to be completed

·                Feedback was also sought from the committee with regard to the process generally and the information required by councillors, which would feed into next year’s process

·                A question was asked with regard to the transfer of reserves from the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to Weymouth Town Council.  In response it was confirmed that a number of reserves had been shared with the town council and that the Shadow Executive Committee had agreed to transfer £0.5m to the town council.  Some general funding had been set aside for the setting up of the town council with some additional funding earmarked for specific items

·                A similar point was raised with regard to Portland Town Council and this would be picked up following the meeting

·                In respect of the External Audit report for Dorset County Council, the External Auditor had concluded that expenditure had not been materially mis-stated

·                A discussion was held with regard to the figures given in the External Audit report for academies and it was confirmed that the reports contained a best estimate for deficits associated with academies.  Evidence would need to be given to Cabinet in respect of this

·                Reference was made to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10