Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this Agenda.

The following declaration of interest was made in accordance with the Code of Conduct in relation to an item under consideration at this meeting –

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 28 June 2006 and 30 June 2006.

The minutes of the meetings held on 28 June (AC 11 06/07) and 30 June 2006 (AC 12 06/07) were submitted for the Committees approval.

Resolved that –

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

The Director of Corporate Resources referred to the letter circulated at the meeting concerning the uncorrected financial statement’s misstatements listed in Appendix A of the Annual Governance Report and the reasons for not correcting these items together with the requirement for the City Council’s accounts for 2005/06 to be re-approved and signed by the Chair.

(In accordance with Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the Chair brought forward the above item for consideration because of the need to inform Members)

The Corporate Director of Corporate Resources will submit a projected Audit Committee work programme for 2006/07.

The Chief Auditor submitted the Work Programme 2006/07 (AC 13 06/07) for the Audit Committee.

Resolved that the Work Programme 2006/07 be approved.

The Corporate Director of Corporate Resources will provide confirmation of the appointment of the External Auditors to Plymouth City Council.

The Director of Corporate Resources referred to a letter from the Audit Commission confirming the extension of the appointment of Mr Peter Lawrence as the external auditor to the City Council for the 2006/07 financial year, under Section 2 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 and the arrangements for the appointment of the auditor for the financial year 2007/08 and beyond.

Resolved that Mr Peter Lawrence of the Audit Commission be appointed as the auditor for Plymouth City Council for the financial year 2006/07.

The Audit Commission submitted a report (AC 15 06/07) on the Audit Progress Summary as at 13 September 2006.

Resolved that the report be noted.

(Councillor Wildy declared a personal interest in respect of the above item)

The Audit Commission will submit a report on the progress of audits up to 13 September 2006.  

The Audit Commission submitted a report (AC 14 06/07) on the Internal and External Audit Relationship with Plymouth City Council for 2005/2006.

Resolved that the report be noted.

The Audit Commission will report on Audit Matters of Governance Interest (ISA 260) in relation to the Council’s Financial Statements 2005/06. (TO FOLLOW.)

The Audit Commission submitted the Annual Governance Report Audit 2005-06 (AC 16 06/07) –

Attached to the Audit Commission’s report was the Director of Corporate Resources formal report and response, known as the Letter of Representation which included comments on the misstatements in the draft 2005/06 Accounts referred to in the Chair’s Urgent Business.

The Director of Corporate Resources advised the Committee that some minor changes had been made to the draft 2005/06 Accounts, approved at 30 June 2006 meeting, following the audit work undertaken by the Audit Commission.

The Director of Corporate Resources advised that a Summary of Accounts 2005/06 booklet had been prepared. Copies of the booklet would be available at the First Stop Desk in the Civic Centre and other council offices.

Resolved that –

(Councillor Savery declared a personal interest in respect of the above item)