THOSE ATTENDING:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr K Grimes
Cllr A Hart
Cllr A Iley
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr Vaughan (Chair)
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs A Brindley, Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer and Mr D L Nicholson, Deputy Parish Clerk.
AGENDA PART 1<strong
C014/21 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr J Foster (ill health) and Cllr G Huntley (Family commitment). The meeting accepted these as proper reasons for non-attendance.
C015/21 2. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(s)
No declarations were submitted.
C016/21 3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
The Parish Clerk explained arrangements made for members of the public to submit questions or attend the meeting. No questions had been received.
C017/21 4. PLANNING MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.
The Parish Clerk advised that Cllr K Grimes and the Deputy Parish Clerk will represent the Parish Council at a site visit to Watson’s Yard on Friday 11 June.
C018/21 5. TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 21 MAY 2021.
The meeting agreed the minutes represented a true record of the meeting subject to the following corrections:
C005/21 Chair should read Vice-Chair
C006/21 Insert appointments to West Sleekburn Community Trust.
The meeting approved the amended minutes and agreed they should be signed as such by the Chair and placed in the public domain.
C019/21 6. TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH ON 20 APRIL 2021.
The meeting agreed the minutes represented atrue record of the meeting and agreed they should be signed as such by the Chairman and placed in the public domain.
CO20/21 7. MATTERS ARISING.
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
C021/21 8. TO RECEIVE THE END OF YEAR REPORT FROM THE INTERNAL AUDITOR.
Members received and considered the report from the internal auditor (appendix 1) and the Parish Clerk reported that the internal auditor had also completed the Annual Internal Auditor Report, indicating there were no matters to draw tot he attention of the Parish Council, which he described as a beacon council and model of best practice.
RESOLVED: Members welcomed the report and noted that there were no matters requiring further consideration.
C022/21 9. RETIREMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR.
In his letter to the Parish Council Peter Basnett indicated his intention to retire. The Parish Clerk highlighted the wise counsel provided to the Parish Council over the years by Peter, wishing him well for his retirement.
RESOLVED:
- The Parish Clerk was asked to send a letter of appreciation to Mr Basnet.
- The Parish Clerk was instructed to supply a report to a future meeting on steps to be taken to secure the services of a replacement auditor with knowledge of the legal and financial environment in which the authority operates.
C023/21 10. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE YEAR END STATEMENTS
- The Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer reported that as a smaller authority with a gross income exceeding £25,000 the Parish Council must complete part 3 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return at the end of each financial year
- The Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) comprises 4 sections.
- Annual Governance Statement,
- Accounting Statements,
- Annual Internal Audit Report, and
- External Auditor Report and Certificate
The Parish Council completes 1 and 2 at this meeting. Our internal auditor completes no.3 (see agenda item 14) and the external auditor no.4
3. The annual governance statement is a public report affirming that the Council is being conducted in accordance with the law, regulations and proper practices and that public
money is safeguarded and properly accounted for. The Council responds to statements known as assertions. Guidance is issued by the Joint Panel on Accountability and
Governance (JPAG). The Parish Clerk asked members to consider each assertion by turn.
Assertion 1 – Financial management and preparation of accounting statements
‘We have put in place arrangements for effective financial management during the year, and for the preparation of the accounting statements.’
Members agreed that the Parish Council has taken all required steps to satisfy the assertion; a RFO has been appointed; financial procedures are in place to record financial transactions; bank reconciliations are completed on a monthly basis and reviewed by members; a budget has been prepared and approved; arrangements are in place to manage investments and earmarked reserves appropriately; and, annual accounts are prepared in an accurate and timely manner.
Assertion 2 – Internal Control
‘We maintained an adequate system of internal control, including measures designed to prevent and detect fraud and corruption and reviewed its effectiveness.’
Members asserted the Parish Council has in place and follows Standing orders and Financial Regulations. These documents identify how the Council operates to safeguard public money, how the Council makes its financial transactions, how it manages risk, how it pays staff, and how fixed assets are maintained and secured. Members review these procedures and undertake regular internal examination of finances.
Assertion 3 – Compliance with laws regulations and proper practices
‘We took all reasonable steps to assure ourselves that there are no matters of actual or potential noncompliance with laws, regulations, and proper practices that could have a significant financial effect on the ability of this smaller authority to conduct its business or on its finances.’
Members asserted the Council has acted lawfully. When making decisions members receive advice from the proper officer who confirms legal authority and power to act.
Assertion 4 – Exercise of Public Rights
‘We provided proper opportunity during the year for the exercise of electors rights in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations.’
Section 25-27 of Local Government Accountability Act 2014 contain provisions giving interested person rights of inspection of accounts and records. In making this assertion members noted the Council makes its accounts accessible for 30 working days during which time there is a mandatory full 10-day period from beginning of July (although this has been extended for 2019/20 accounts), and throughout the year by arrangement.
The accounting statement is published on the website.
Assertion 5 – Risk Management
‘We carried out an assessment of the risks facing this smaller authority and took appropriate steps to manage those risks, including the introduction of internal controls and/or external insurance cover where required.’
Members asserted the Council has compiled and reviewed the assessment of risk, and maintains a risk register which records the identification of risk e.g. financial loss of money/damage to property, and management of risk e.g. through insurance, added security measures, internal controls (see attached Annual Statement of Risk, agenda item 17).
Assertion 6 – Internal Audit
‘We maintained throughout the year an adequate and effective system of internal audit of the accounting records and control systems.’
In making this assertion members noted the appointment of an internal auditor who undertakes an effective audit. The Responsible Finance Officer gives the internal auditor access to all documents and records, supplying any all required information and explanations.
Assertion 7 – Reports from Auditors
‘We took appropriate action on all matters raised in reports from internal and external audit.’
Members consider all reports from the internal and external auditors and resolve any actions that might be required.
Assertion 8 – significant events
‘We considered whether any litigation, liabilities or commitments, events or transactions, occurring either during or after the year-end, have a financial impact on this smaller authority and, where appropriate have included them in
the accounting statements.’
In setting the budget and when authorising year end statements, the council consider any events occurring during the financial year (or after the year-end), that have consequences, or potential consequences, on the authority’s finances.
Members considered the effects of coronavirus. The Parish Clerk explained that at the special meeting on 18th March 2020 measures had been put in place to help the community during the pandemic, however due to government initiatives, Northumberland County Council measures and local efforts, Parish Council expenditure had been well within budget to date. Nor had the Council lost any income through lockdown. As such evidence suggests it will not have a significant financial impact on the authority and will not require inclusion on the accounting statements.
Assertion 9 – Trust Funds
Not applicable
4. Members considered the accounting statement for the year ended 31 March 2021
RESOLVED:
- Having noted the completion of the annual internal report from the internal Auditor, members considered the annual governance statement and accounts.
- Members considered annual governance statement and determined that to the best of their knowledge and belief that they have satisfied their responsibilities in relation to assertions 1 to 8 inclusive.
- Members noted that section 9 of the statement was not applicable as the council does not act as the sole managing trustee of any local trust or similar body.
- Members received and approved the accounting statement and supporting documentation for the year ended 31 March 2021, noting restated figures and the reasons for such.
- The Chairman of the meeting was authorised to sign the statements contained in the Parish Council’s annual return for the financial year ended 31 March 2021.
Agenda – Part 2. There were no matters referred from part 1 of the agenda for consideration.
There being no further business the meeting concluded at 19.45pm
Chairman
Dated
Internal audit reports
AIAR 20-21, int check list, internal audit 21