Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Finance Officer.

The Technical Accounting Manager presented the report with the Council’s final 2016/17 Statement of Accounts for approval and adoption. She explained that it was a statutory requirement to publish the audited Statement of Accounts by 30 September 2017. The external auditors were expected to issue an unqualified opinion, which meant they were satisfied that the Statement of Accounts provide a true and fair view of the financial position and transactions of the Council for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Members were advised that the report set out the key findings of the audit of the accounts, which had resulted in only a few amendments. The draft accounts had been issued on 25^th May, which was a month ahead of the statutory deadline and placed the Council in a good position for next year’s earlier deadlines.

In response to a Members question, the Technical Accounting Manager explained that the Narrative Report was a forward looking plan for major schemes and was published alongside the Statement of Accounts.

The Chair expressed her thanks and appreciation to finance the team for their work on the production of the Final Accounts.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee approve the Final Statement of Accounts for 2016/17 for the City Council.