To provide the committee with a progress update of the work being undertaken by the external auditor.

The update from the external auditors was presented.    It was noted that the audit was proceeding and the external auditors were working well with officers.   Details of the interim work were set out on page 64 of the agenda pack.  

Grant Thornton were requesting approval of the additional fees in connection with the previous year’s audit.   It was noted that the additional fees had been discussed with officers and also shared with the PSAA.   A member of the committee requested that given the budgetary pressures faced by the council that the monitoring officer look at the contractual arrangements and report back to the next meeting before the committee approved the additional fees. 

It was noted that the issue with regard to the Hoople accounts had been the subject of discussion between officers and Grant Thornton.    The chief finance officer confirmed that as the council owned 85% of Hoople and in order to be transparent and open, group accounts would be prepared which would include Hoople and the pension liability.

A member of the committee requested confirmation of the role of the audit and governance committee in relation to oversight of Hoople.   It was agreed that a report from the chief finance officer and monitoring officer would be added to the work programme which would clarify this point.  

Following a query from a member of the committee, it was confirmed that Worcestershire County Council had given an assurance that information in relation to the energy from waste loan would be provided in a more timely manner this year.      It was noted that the annual report in relation to the energy from waste loan was scheduled for September 2018.    It was requested that information about the predicted waste streams and information about the proposed new waste plant just off the M5 be included as part of the annual report.    

RESOLVED

That the update from the external auditor be noted.

Councillor RJ Phillips left the meeting at 15:53.

The meeting adjourned at 15:53 and re-commenced at 16:00