Report of: The Group Finance Director

Purpose of the report: To submit the Council’s draft Statement of Accounts and Letter of Representations to the Committee to obtain delegated authority for approval and authorisation.

Recommendation(s): That the Committee resolves to:

1.    Approve the latest 2024/25 Statement of Accounts as agreed by the Group Finance Director and authorise the Chair of the Committee to sign the Accounts incorporating any further changes arising from the ongoing audit.

2.    Agree that a Letter of Representations for 2024/25 incorporating any statements required by the external auditor arising from the ongoing audit be signed and issued by the Group Finance Director and the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee to enable the external auditor’s opinion to be issued (paragraphs 14 to 15).

The Audit and Governance Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the latest 2024/25 Statement of Accounts as agreed by the Group Finance Director and authorise the Chair of the Committee to sign the Accounts incorporating any further changes arising from the ongoing audit.

2.    Agree that a Letter of Representations for 2024/25 incorporating any statements required by the external auditor arising from the ongoing audit be signed and issued by the Group Finance Director and the Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee to enable the external auditor’s opinion to be issued (paragraphs 14 to 15).