Issue - meetings

To note the unqualified audit report for year end 31 March 2023.

To accommodate officer availability it was agreed that this item would be heard after item seven.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented the report on the Audited Financial Statements for SDS for year end 31 March 2023 and highlighted that it was an unqualified audit report and that SDS was making a profit. The Deputy Chief Executive advised that the report had been presented to the Audit Committee on 19 March 2024.

The Committee queried why the turnover had increased from £198,598 in 2022 to £373,587 in 2023 and was informed that this was reflective of the increased business being conducted, as the company has grown the level of resourcing has similarly increased.

The Committee resolved to note the report, and particularly the unqualified audit report.

To note the report and particularly the unqualified audit report.

The Committee received a report from the Deputy Chief Executive on the audited financial statements for Spelthorne Direct Services Ltd (SDS) for year end 31 March 2023 and advised that the report should state that the Neighbourhood Services and Enforcement Committee had oversight responsibility of SDS.

The Committee queried what the life span was for the vehicles used by SDS and was advised that for the diesel vehicles, the life expectancy was seven years but through good maintenance this had been extended to ten years.

The Committee asked why there had been an increase in audit fees from £3,500 in 2022 to £10,000 in 2023 and were advised that this was reflective of the work required; SDS was still a young company with associated challenges, and that SDS was a subsidiary of a major group and as such influences the risk assessment by the auditors.

The Committee resolved to note the report and particularly the unqualified audit report.