Decision details

To consider the written recommendations of the Auditors VfM report on Governance issued by the Combined Authority’s External Auditor.

The Committee RESOLVED:

(1)  Fully accept the findings of the report and the external auditor’s recommendations;

(2)   Note that the written recommendations SR1, SR2 and SR3 have been identified by the external auditor as Section 24 Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 statutory recommendations as detailed in the report.

(3)  Note the progress that has been made and the range of corrective actions that have already been taken to date as detailed in appendix 1.

(4)  Note that the financial issue detailed in the report for the employee exit payment has already been considered and accounted for in the 2021/22 draft published accounts.

(5)  Consider and approve the emerging revised action plan presented to committee, that includes a response to each of the external auditor’s recommendations, noting final adoption by Committee will follow actions set out in recommendations 6 and 7.

(6)  Agree that the action plan be presented to both the Audit Committee and the Scrutiny & Overview Committee as a matter of urgency to consider and review from their differing constitutional positions and report any feedback to the Combined Authority Committee.

(7)  Request that Combined Authority Committee receives a report that includes any feedback on the action plan from the Scrutiny & Overview Committee and Audit Committee and provides further detail on the delivery of the Action Plan at a future meeting.

(8)  Note that the West of England Combined Authority will continue to maintain an open dialogue with the external auditor, Chair of the Audit Committee, and Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee to keep them appraised of the progress in implementing the Action Plan.