Issue - meetings

Jon Hayes, Relationship Manager, Audit Commission, will attend to present the Joint Audit and Inspection Letter to the Assembly.

Mr. Jon Hayes from the Audit Commission presented the “Annual Audit and Inspection Letter”.  He referred Members to the letter as set out in the agenda paying particular attention to the following areas:

• Commission pleased with accounts, they demonstrate that the Council’s financial management and financial monitoring are performing well.

• Impressed with data quality and use of resources.

• The Council should concentrate its efforts on increasing the rates of improvement for housing and children’s services

• Grateful to the Council for volunteering as a learning site to help the Audit Commission develop the Comprehensive Area Assessment model.

Following questions from Members, Mr. Hayes summarised that the emerging Comprehensive Area Assessment would focus more on the local indicators that made local authorities unique.  He also agreed with Members’ views on making Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) more accountable, however he did express the difficulty that the Commission was having in convincing central government to share this view.  He also explained that the Council’s overall assessment rating was set against a national picture and on balance the local authority was improving well.

Jon Hayes, Relationship Manager, Audit Commission, has been invited to present his report to the Assembly.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.