To note the Audit Commission’s Use of Resources report for 2008 and the comments made by the Audit & Corporate Governance Committee.

The Director of Resources reported on the Audit Commission’s Use of Resources Report for 2008, and the comments made by the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.  The Use of Resources assessment had evaluated how well the Council had managed and used its resources, and had focussed on the importance of strategic financial management, sound governance, and effective financial reporting arrangements. 

Compared to the previous year, the Council’s overall score for the Use of Resources had fallen from 3 to 2; Internal Control had fallen from 2 to 1, and Value for Money had fallen from 3 to 2.  This was largely due to the issues covered by the Crookall Report.  The Audit Commission had also commented, however, that the audit process had been smoother and more efficient this year, that the Council’s summary of accounts had improved, and its medium-term financial strategy was now good.  The District Auditor had also commented that the influence of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee had been positive.

The report contained a series of opportunities for improvement identified by the Audit Commission, to which the Council had responded with a detailed action plan. The Leader commented that it was to the Council’s credit that its officers had identified the issues which led to the Crookall Review, and not the Audit Commission.

RESOLVED:   that Cabinet

(i)     notes the Audit Commission’s Use of Resources report for 2008 and the comments made by the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee; and

(ii)   approves the response to the opportunities for improvement identified in the Use of Resources report for 2008 and notes the comments made by the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.