Agenda item

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 6TH AND 28TH NOVEMBER 2019

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 6th and 28th November 2019, be confirmed.

 

Matters Arising

 

Annual Complaints Report – the Chairman reported that she had been in contact with the Chairmen of the PDS Committees regarding any concerns they may have with complaints procedures. To date, one response had been received from the Chairman of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee. The Chairman would follow up with the remaining PDS Chairmen and would report back at the next meeting.

 

Audit of Financial Statements 2018/19 – At the request of the Chairman the Assistant Director for Strategic Property attended the meeting to provide an update on the issues relating to asset valuations.  The Assistant Director reported that the Council was still waiting for Cushman and Wakefield to provide all the required information. The Assistant Director informed the Committee that following a meeting with Cushman and Wakefield earlier in the day, assurances had been received that answers to the final questions would be provided on 12th February 2020. Members noted that there was a significant amount of background work being undertaken, however the information required to update the accounts could not be provided to the Council’s Finance Department until what was referred to as the “Master Spreadsheet” had been received.

 

In relation to the questions that had been raised as objections to the accounts, the Chief Accountant reported that one individual had objected to the last 3 years accounts. The Committee noted that the objections relating to 2016/17 and 2017/18 were over 90 pages in total, containing a large number of questions. The Chief Accountant explained that it was not possible for the Council’s new external auditors to deal with the objection for 2018/19 until the issues with the previous two years’ objections had been addressed. Members noted that the external auditors had been provided with answers to the questions but had themselves in turn further questions and requests for additional detail which required response. The Council had provided all of the requested information and was now waiting for the external auditors to respond. 

 

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contracts Management reiterated that the current situation with regard to asset valuation was hugely frustrating for everyone and had arisen as a result of a number of factors. The Portfolio Holder reported that the majority of the work had now been completed and by identifying what remained outstanding it should be possible for the Council to receive the information that was required on 12th February.

 

The Chairman thanked all those involved for the additional work they had been undertaking in attempting to secure a satisfactory resolution for the Council. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman should be kept updated on the progress of the ongoing work with Cushman and Wakefield.  The Committee requested that Cushman and Wakefield attend the most appropriate Committee (be it General Purposes and Licensing or Executive Resources and Contracts PDS Committee) to discuss this matter.

 

RESOLVED: That Cushman and Wakefield attend the most appropriate Committee (be it General Purposes and Licensing or Executive Resources and Contracts PDS Committee) to discuss the issues with regard to asset valuation.

 

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