The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2018 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as an accurate record.

Apologies for absence were reported from Councillor Metcalfe MBE and Councillor Miah.

There were none.

Report of Audit Manager (Eastbourne).

The Committee considered the report of the Internal Audit Manager regarding a summary of the activities of Internal Audit for the first quarter of the year.  A list of all final audit reports issued from 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018 and the level of assurance attained were detailed in the report.

Further information on reports issued in final during the year with an assurance level below “Performing Well” was set out in Appendix B, with any issues highlighted in the reviews which informed the assurance level given.

The committee was advised that one report had been issued with an assurance level of Inadequate.  As this review covered the Safeguarding of Children an update on the current situation had been requested from the owners of the recommendations made.  A full follow up would be carried out at the end of September, beginning of October.

Due to there being no outstanding actions relating to audits that were issued with an “inadequate assurance level” there was no appendix C.

Work undertaken by the Corporate Fraud team and East Sussex Counter Fraud Hub was also detailed in the report.

Resolved: (Unanimous)That the report be noted.

Report of BDO – external Auditor.

The committee considered the report of BDO regarding the Annual Audit Letter, which set out the key findings of audit work for 2017/18.  The report summarised the results of the audit work in respect of the Council’s financial statements, use of resources, exercise of statutory powers, grant claims and returns certification and any other matters.

Ms Janine Combrinck representing BDO was in attendance to present the report and respond to Members’ questions.

The Head of Finance advised the Members that with regard to BDO issuing their unmodified opinion on the financial statements on 4 August 2018, which was later than the expected date, as detailed in the letter, all documentation in relation to the Council’s accounts for 17/18 had been sent in good time to the auditors.

The delays in the issuing of the audit opinion were due to the new statutory deadline and the volume of Councils closing their accounts to the new, earlier timescale, and was not related to the Council being unable to provide the correct documentation within the required deadlines.

Resolved: (Unanimous) That the Annual Audit Letter for 2017/18 be noted.