The Audit Scrutiny Committee of Teignbridge Council met on 26 June 2024 to discuss various audit reports, financial statements, and governance issues. Key decisions included recommending the Joint Auditors Annual Report and the updated statement of accounts for 2020-21 to Full Council for approval. The committee also decided to refer a motion on webcasting to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

2020-21 Audit Findings Report

The External Audit Manager presented the 2020-21 Audit Findings Report. The committee was informed about issues with asset valuations and a disclaimer related to verification problems. The report also highlighted the impact of sickness absence on the audit process. The disclaimer had not been discussed earlier due to broader national issues. The committee noted the report.

2020-21 Letter of Representation

The External Audit Manager introduced the 2020-21 Letter of Representation. The committee noted the report without further discussion.

2021-22 and 2022-23 Joint Auditors Annual Report

The External Audit Manager discussed the Joint Auditors Annual Report for 2021-22 and 2022-23. The audit covered financial sustainability, governance, and value for money. No statutory recommendations were required, but there were two governance recommendations related to financial statements and member behaviour. The committee recommended the report to Full Council for approval.

2021-22 and 2022-23 Backstop Letter

The External Audit Manager introduced the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Backstop Letter, noting the audit team's efforts to manage their workload. The committee noted the report.

2023-24 External Audit Plan

The External Audit Manager presented the 2023-24 External Audit Plan, highlighting the short timeframe for the work, an increase in fees from the previous year, and the role of Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) in ensuring timely delivery. The committee noted the report.

Financial Waivers

The Audit Manager explained the process for financial waivers in urgent situations, such as a collapsed wall. The committee noted the report.

Final Accounts 2020-21

The committee recommended the updated statement of accounts for 2020-21 and the updated Annual Governance Statement 2023-2024 to Full Council for approval.

Notices of Motion - Webcasting

The committee considered a motion on webcasting but decided it was outside their terms of reference. They suggested deferring the decision until after the current contract is complete and referred the motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

Internal Audit Progress Report

The Audit Manager presented the Internal Audit Progress Report. The committee noted that all but one project received a good audit opinion, with one project rated excellent but not included in the report due to timing. The committee requested an update on the recommendations from the audit of Housing Health and Safety.