Agenda item

The following papers are to be read in conjunction with the minutes of the Strategy and Finance Working Group held on 5^th May 2020 and are for formal approval by the Council prior for submission to the External Auditor. 

i)            To receive and agree the draft Financial Statements for 2019/20 and earmarked

reserves at 31^st March 2020                                                            Appendix E

ii)          To receive the 2019/20 Income and Expenditure Outturn and associated documentsAppendix F

iii)         To consider the final Internal Auditor’s Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2020

and agree the Council’s response to any issues raised                      Appendix G

iv)          To approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1 of Annual Governance and Accountability Return)                                                                                                     Appendix H

v)           To approve the variances list between the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Annual Returns as required.        Appendix I

vi)          To approve the Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the Year Ended

          31 March 2020 for signature and submission for External Audit       Appendix J

The Town Clerk introduced the financial year end documents that had already been circulated to all Councillors and discussed by Members of the Strategy & Finance Working Group.

These included:

i)      Draft Financial Statements for 2019/20 and earmarked reserves at 31st March 2020 atAppendix E;

ii)     2019/20 Income and Expenditure Outturn and associated documents atAppendix F;

iii)    The final Internal Auditor’s Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2020 at AppendixG;

iv)    The Annual Governance Statement (Section 1 of Annual Governance and Accountability Return) at Appendix H;

v)     The variances list between the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Annual Returns at Appendix I;

vi)    The Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the Year Ended 31 March 2020 at Appendix J

Council welcomed the contribution to general balances of £19,063 after receipts in advance and agreed transfers for Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 contributions and agreed earmarked reserves had taken place.  Council noted the above expected additional income received and previously reported, had been party offset by decisions on agreed expenditure on specific project activity during the year.  The proposed adjustments to the earmarked reserves were agreed.

Council welcomed the clarity of the documents that made the end of year accounts understandable and thanked those involved in their production.

It was RESOLVED nem con with two abstentions that:

1)     The Annual Governance Statement (Section 1 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return) be approved;

2)     The Internal Auditor’s report and officers’ comments be agreed;

3)     The updated Asset Register be approved;

4)     The Report and Financial Statements for 2019/20 be adopted for signature;

5)     The variances list for the Annual Return be agreed;

The Annual Governance and Accountability Return and associated papers be approved for signature and submission to the External Auditor.