This report presented the Council’s unaudited Statement of Accounts for 2019/20. These accounts will be signed by the Director of Corporate Resources by 31st August 2020, the extended deadline; in line with requirements of the Accounts and Audit (Coronavirus)(Amendment) Regulations 2020 and the 2015 Accounts and Audit Regulations. They will be published on our website, including the Annual Governance Statement and subject to the relevant inspection notice under section 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Nolan and SECONDED by Cllr Tanner to approve the recommendations in the report.

Mr Neil Harris was present at the meeting and both he and the Director of Corporate Resources gave summary of the report.  A full discussion on the report by the committee followed.

As this was a hybrid meeting a recorded vote was taken and following the debate it was RESOLVED that:

1.    The Annual Governance Statement 2019/20 attached in Appendix A is approved and signed by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council.

2.    The Unaudited Statement of Accounts 2019/20 attached in Appendix A is considered and approved and signed by the Chair of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

Members voted as follows:

For:  Cllrs Dr Barrett, Hirst, Mrs Hones, Mrs McKinlay, Nolan and Tanner (6)

Against:  Cllrs Lewis and Naylor (2)

Abstain:  Cllr Mrs Fulcher (1)

Reasons for Recommendation

The approval of the unaudited Accounts contributes to effective financial management and governance.