To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors Stringer.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat Group, the membership of the Committee had been amended for this meeting by including Councillor Stocks and Doggett instead of Councillor Pentney and Stringer.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 22 June 2011.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 22 June 2011 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report that set out work that the Audit Commission was currently undertaking.

Members noted the summary report from the Audit Commission detailing reports that they have issued and events that the Audit Commission had undertaken.  Member’s attention was drawn to the timetable for the outsourcing and procurement of local audit work currently undertaken by the Audit Commission.  

To consider the Annual Governance Report compiled by the Audit Commission.

Members considered the Audit Commissions Annual Governance Report which summarised the findings from the 2010/11 audit which was substantially complete.  The report included messages arising from the Audit Commissions audit of the Council’s financial statements and the results of the work the Audit Commission had undertaken to assess the Council’s arrangements to secure value for money in the Council’s use of resources.  Steve Brown from the Audit Commission explained that subject to satisfactory clearance of outstanding matters he would be issuing an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and the Council’s corporate arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.

Resolved:

i)                    that the adjustments to the financial statements as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be noted; and

ii)                  that the letter of representation be approved.

To approve the Annual Statement of Accounts.

The Committee received a report which set out the Statement of Accounts for 2010/11.  The report explained that the Account and Audit Regulations 2011 required the 2010/11 Statement of Accounts be approved by a committee of the Council before 30 September 2011, for Torbay this would be the full Council.

The Chief Accountant explained that the accounts published at the end of September will be an updated version to include changes identified by both the External Auditor and Council Staff.

Resolved:

That Council be recommended to approve the Statement of Accounts 2010/11.

To note the Annual Review Letter from the Local Government Ombudsman.

Members noted a letter from the Local Government Ombudsman setting out the annual summary of statistics on the complaints made about Torbay Council for the year ending 31 March 2011.

Members and Officers thanked Steve Brown, who would be retiring shortly, for all his hard work and support that he had given to staff at Torbay Council.