Agenda item

The Committee considered the Audit Completion Report of the External Auditor relating to Durham County Council for the year ended 31 March 2013 (for copy see file of Minutes).

Mr Waddell, Mazars, advised that he would issue an unqualified opinion on the accounts together with an unqualified Value for Money conclusion. He advised that overall the accounts produced were an improvement to the previous year in terms of the quality of the accounts and had been received on time.  Assurances had been given on the significant audit risks identified in their audit plan previously reported to Committee. Valuations had been covered in greater detail and were drawn to the Committees attention.

He circulated a draft letter for the information of the Committee which provided an update on the work undertaken on the audit since the report was circulated to the Committee (for copy see file of Minutes).

Thanks were given to the Strategic Finance Manager and her team in the preparation of the Accounts.

Resolved:

1.                  That the Annual Governance Report of the Audit Commission be noted.

2.                  That the letter of representation be approved.