Archived decisions

Contact: Paddy Hillary, Ext: 7391

1. Summary

1.1 This report highlights the main findings contained in the District Auditor's Management Letter in relation to the audit of accounts for 2000/01, the financial aspects of corporate governance and performance management.

1.2 In particular the report shows the positive recognition of the Council's success in responding to major issues and maintaining the delivery of high-quality front line services within continuing budgetary pressures.

1.3 A copy of the full letter has been sent to all members of the Council.

1 Introduction

1.1 The District Auditor has published his annual Management Letter to the Members of the Council summarising the conclusions from our audit, progress in the year and important matters arising. The Management Letter also sets out early proposals for future audit work in 2001/2 to include piloting with the County Council the co-ordination of audit and inspection services and the involvement of citizens in the audit process through `Citizen Focused' projects.

1.2 The District Auditor has given an unqualified audit opinion on the Council's financial statements and Pension Fund and has expressed his satisfaction with the Council's arrangements for ensuring the legality of transactions with financial consequences, for internal financial control and for preventing and detecting fraud and corruption.

2 Overall conclusion

2.1 The overall conclusion of the District Auditor is that this had been another successful year for the County Council showing its ability to adapt to new challenges and a new political structure whilst maintaining high quality front line services within continuing budgetary pressures.

This has been confirmed by OFSTED and the Best Value Inspectors and the high levels of public satisfaction in service delivery, against the national trend.

Good progress has been made in developing the performance management framework and the County Council sees as a high priority the need to bring together the corporate and community strategies (including the Best Value Performance Plan) and to reflect these aspirations in the Public Service Agreement.

3 Key messages

3.1 The following key messages are highlighted:

Performance management:

The Council has made good progress in developing the performance management framework across the organisation and achievement of the targets within the Public Service Agreement will provide a major focus for the Authority. Partnership working, particularly with health, is increasingly important to ensure that the best use of resources is achieved.

The council has made good progress in implementing Project Enterprise and should now give priority to implementing the system operation and administration policies and procedures and, in order to avoid any undue risk, to ensure that system is fully tested in `live mode' to confirm that all system errors have been eradicated.

Grants to Voluntary Organisations
In order to improve existing arrangements the Council needs to ensure that the policy framework for funding the sector is strengthened, to build on the Hampshire Compact, to co-ordinate policies and practices and ensure resources are used for the purposes and outcomes desired.

Best Value
The Council has made commendable progress in implementing the principles of Best Value and the challenge now is to produce improvement plans which help members to concentrate on delivery outcomes having full regard to the service delivery options.

Financial Position
The Council's financial position remains soundly based although spending pressures still exist. Processes have been put in place to address these pressures and members will need to continue to monitor progress.

Accounts
The review of financial statements identified that the rolling programme of revaluations of land and buildings has fallen behind schedule. Members will need to ensure that this is brought up to date and avoid any future slippage.

Recommendation

That the District Auditor's comments be welcomed and that the County Council addresses those issues highlighted in the Management Letter over the coming year.

Background Information

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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