Issue - meetings

To receive and approve the statement of accounts 2019/20 for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. 

Recommendations:

(a)       to approve the statement of accounts 2019/20 for South Oxfordshire District Council; and

(b)       to approve the statement of accounts 2019/20 for Vale of White Horse District Council. 

The Head of Finance introduced the statement of accounts 2019/20. The committee was informed that the external audit was incomplete, which could have an impact on the final figures presented. The committee was asked to agree to the accounts, subject to the final versions being agreed by the auditor and confirmation and that the final versions were not materially different. It was noted that if the figures were materially different, they would be brought back to the committee for reconsideration.

A question was raised on what the material difference would be classed as. The officer explained the Community Infrastructure Levy example, which could have a £700,000 difference, would be an example of where the accounts might need to be referred back to the committee.  However, the material difference would vary dependent on the total figure and would be a matter discussed by the officers, auditors, and the committee’s co-chairs.

RESOLVED: to

(a)            approve the statement of accounts 2019/20 for South Oxfordshire District Council and to authorise the co-chair to sign the document if no material differences are raised; and

(b)            approve the statement of accounts 2019/20 for the Vale of White Horse District Council and to authorise the co-chair to sign the document if no material differences are raised.

To receive a verbal update on progress with the audit of the statement of accounts 2019/20 for both South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council. 

The committee received a verbal update on progress with the external audit of the councils’ statement of accounts for 2019/20.  Kevin Suter of EY reported that good progress had been made on the audit but that EY’s report was not ready for the committee’s consideration.  At this stage, no significant issues had been identified with the councils’ accounts.