Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report which informed Members that the approval of the Statement of Accounts would be delayed, the reasons for this and the implications arising.

There were three reasons why the Authority would be unable to meet the Statutory deadline on this occasion, namely: -

·         material changes to the Accounts as a result of changed guidance in how Additional Restrictions Grants monies needed to be accounted for within accounts.

·         a late change in the Pensions liability; and

·         a pending issue involving an appeal to the HMRC,

Full details of each were included in Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the report respectively and brought to Members’ attention.

Members were advised that as a consequence of these changes and the need to update the Statements, the statutory deadline would not be met.

It was noted that the change in pension liability and the changed guidance relating to Additional Restrictions Grants monies, would affect many councils throughout the country. West Lindsey District Council along with all those Councils would be listed publically, as not having met the statutory deadline. 

The Statement of Accounts 2020/21 and External Auditors reports would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee on 9 November 2021, the planned mandatory training would be re-scheduled.

In response to questions, the S151 Officer confirmed the Authority would put out a notice advising of the position, although this was not a statutory requirement.  It was also confirmed the Authority had never previously failed to meet the statutory deadline.  There were no further implications from being included on the Auditors notice, and the number of authorities expected to not meet the deadline, given the national issues and resulting pressures on external auditors, was expected to run into hundreds this year.  Officers were hopeful of a positive outcome with regards to the HMRC appeal having taken appropriate and sound advice throughout the capital project. 

The typographical error in paragraph 2.1 of the report was verbally corrected and should have read £0.992m for the avoidance of doubt.

Concluding the debate, the Chairman placed on record his satisfaction that the delays being experienced were not as result of either West Lindsey District Council or its Officers.

RESOLVED that the reasons for the delay of the approval of the Statement of Accounts.be noted.