Agenda item

Consider the following reports (Copies attached except paper for 8(a)(i) which is to follow.):-

            There had been circulated copies of a report by Audit Scotland, the Council’s Auditors, together with a report by the Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and a copy of the Annual Accounts 2021/22.  The CFO report explained that the audit appointment of Audit Scotland for Scottish Borders Council (SBC) accounts included the requirement to provide an auditor's report for the Council as well as related charities.  KPMG had continued to provide the external audit of the Council subsidiary Bridge Homes.  2021/22 represented the sixth year of Audit Scotland undertaking the External Audit of the Council’s Annual Accounts with the process now completed.  Audit Scotland had prepared the Annual Audit Report and had provided an unqualified independent audit opinion.  Audit Scotland identified two recommendations for improvement requiring action along with follow-ups to prior year recommendations.  These had been accepted by management and would be enacted within the agreed timescales.  As required under the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, the audited Annual Accounts for Scottish Borders Council, SBC Common Good Funds, the SBC Charitable Trusts, Bridge Homes LLP, Lowood Tweedbank Ltd and Scottish Borders Council’s Pension Fund had been presented to and considered by the Audit Committee on 23 November 2022.  The Audit Committee had agreed to recommend approval of the various accounts to Council.  KPMG had concluded their audit of Bridge Homes LLP and had raised no issues or matters to report.  Councillor Thornton-Nicol, Chair of the Audit Committee, commented on the fact that the accounts had been unmodified and were unqualified which was the gold standard.  She thanked the Audit Committee, including the 2 new external members, for their consideration of the accounts.  Councillor Rowley thanked the Acting Chief Financial Officer, her team and officers across the Council for their work on the accounts.  Councillor Mountford commented on the reports on the Pension Fund which highlighted good practice and thanked the Pension Fund Committee for their oversight.

DECISION

          AGREED to approve the following audited accounts:-

        (a)     the Scottish Borders Council’s audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

          (b)     the Scottish Borders Council’s Pension Fund audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (c)    the Scottish Borders Council Common Good Funds (Charity SC031538) audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (d)    the SBC Welfare Trust (Charity SC044765) audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (e)    the SBC Education Trust (Charity SC044762) audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (f)     the SBC Community Enhancement Trust (Charity SC044764) audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (g)    the SBC Ormiston Trust for Institute (Charity SC019162) audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (h)    the Scottish Borders Council Charitable Trusts (Charity SC043896) audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022;

           (i)     the Bridge Homes LLP audited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022; and

           (j)     Lowood Tweedbank Ltd Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2022.