APPENDIX W - DISTRICT AUDIT – ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2001/02 : Executive on 04/02/2003

Waverley Borough Council Committee System - Committee Document

Meeting of the Executive held on 04/02/2003
APPENDIX W - DISTRICT AUDIT – ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2001/02

The Local Government Act 1982 established the general audit arrangements for local authorities. The Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996 introduced changes that took effect from the financial year 1996/97. The District Audit Service remains the appointed auditor for Waverley, being appointed by the Audit Commission.

The purpose of this report is to present Members with the District Auditor’s Annual Audit Letter. A full copy of the letter has been placed in the Members’ Room and Members are invited to read it as this report only contains summary information.

APPENDIX W

WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE - 4TH FEBRUARY 2003

_________________________________________________________________________
Title:

DISTRICT AUDIT – ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2001/02

[Wards Affected: N/A]

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Summary and Purpose

The Local Government Act 1982 established the general audit arrangements for local authorities. The Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996 introduced changes that took effect from the financial year 1996/97. The District Audit Service remains the appointed auditor for Waverley, being appointed by the Audit Commission.

The purpose of this report is to present Members with the District Auditor’s Annual Audit Letter. A full copy of the letter has been placed in the Members’ Room and Members are invited to read it as this report only contains summary information.
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Introduction

1. The Annual Audit Letter is required under the Code of Audit Practice for Local Authorities. It sets out the matters of significance arising from the annual audit of the Council’s accounts. A full copy has been placed in the Members’ Room and on the Member Zone within the Council's intranet. Members are invited to read it in full as it contains much more background, detail and reasoning than can be included in this summary report. The District Auditor has met the Leader, the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance to discuss its contents.

2. The Executive adopted the accounts for 2001/02 at its meeting on 30th September 2002. If revised Accounts and Audit Regulations are adopted, the target date for adoption of accounts will be incrementally moved forward in future years, with a target of 30th June as from 2005/06.

3. The District Auditor’s work covers the following:-

· Performance management
· Financial aspects of corporate governance
· Accounts

4. The key findings are set out in the following paragraphs.

Summary findings and comments

5. The District Auditor’s key messages are shown at Annexe 1.

Human Rights

6. There are no Human Rights issues raised by the contents of this report.
Environmental issues

7. There are no issues raised by this report, other than the implications of the current financial position and policies that may have an effect upon the ability to deliver services.

Resource implications

8. There are no specific implications, although the Annual Audit Letter is an important consideration when the Council updates its Financial Strategy.
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Recommendation

It is recommended that the report be received and noted.
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Background Papers (DoF)

There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.
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CONTACT OFFICER

Name: Mr M Hill Telephone: 01483 523240
E-mail: mhill@Waverley.gov.uk

comms/executive/2002/03/519 33833