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Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council > Documents > Financial Reports > Conclusion of Audit 2022 – 2023

Conclusion of Audit 2022 – 2023

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Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council Notice of conclusion of audit Annual Governance & Accountability Return for the year ended 31 March 2023 Sections 20(2) and 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

  1. The audit of accounts for Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council for the year ended 31 March 2023 has been completed and the accounts have been published.
  2. The Annual Governance & Accountability Return is available for inspection by any local government elector of the area of Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council on application to: Mrs R Clifford, Clerk & RFO, Mountfitchet Exchange, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted, Essex, CM23 8AQ
  3. Copies will be provided to any person on payment of £ 1 (c) for each copy of the Annual Governance & Accountability Return.

Announcement made by: R Clifford, Clerk & RFO

Date of announcement: 13th Sept 2023

Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2022/23

We acknowledge as the members of: Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council

our responsibility for ensuring that there Is a sound system of internal control, Including arrangements for the preparation of the Accounting Statements. We confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, with respect to the Accounting Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023, that:

  1. We have put In place arrangements for effective nnanclal management during Iha year, and for the preparation of the accounting statements.
  2. We maintained an adequate system of Internal control Including measures designed to prevent and detect fraud and corruption and reviewed Us effectiveness.
  3. We look all reasonable steps to assure ourselves that there are no matters of actual or potential non-compliance with laws, regulations and Proper Practices that could have a significant financial effect on the ability of this authority lo conduct its business or manage its finances.
  4. We provided proper opportunity during the year for the exercise of electors’ rights In accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
  5. We carried out an assessment of the risks facing this authority and took appropriate steps to manage those risks, Including the Introduction of Internal controls and/or external Insurance cover where required.
  6. We maintained throughout the year an adequate and effective system of Internal audit of the accounting records and control systems.
  7. We took appropriate action on all matters raised in reports from internal and external audit.
  8. We considered whether any litigation, liabilities or commitments, events or transactions, occurring either during or after the year-end, have a financial impact on this authority and, where appropriate, have included them in the accounting statements.
  9. (For local councils only) Trust funds Including charitable. In our capacity as the sole managing trustee we discharged our accountability responsibilities for the fund(s) assets, including financial reporting and, If required, Independent examination or audit. (Not Applicable)

 

This Annual Governance Statement was approved at a meeting of the authority on: 14/6/2023 and recorded as minute reference 75

Signed by Chairman and Clerk of the meeting where approval was given: Chairman M. Caton; Clerk R Clifford

www.stanstedmountfitchet-pc.gov.uk

 

Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2022/23 for Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council

  1. Balance brought forward: £406,546 (31 March 2022), £434,771 (31 March 2023)
  2. (+)Precept or Rates and Levies £414,932 (31 March 2022), £433,231 (31 March 2023)
  3. (+) Total other receipts £148,890 (31 March 2022), £102,059 (31 March 2023)
  4. (-) Staff costs £148,890(31 March 2022), £127,059 (31 March 2023)
  5. (-) Loan Interest / Capital Repayments 0(31 March 2022), 0 (31 March 2023)
  6. (-) All other payments (Total expenditure or payments as recorded in the cashbook less staff costs and loan/interest repayments £331,101 (31 March 2022), £346,445 (31 March 2023)
  7. Balances carried forward £434,771 (31 March 2022), £496,851 (31 March 2023)
  8. Total value of cash and short term investments £302,633 (31 March 2022), £401,533 (31 March 2023)
  9. Total fixed assets plus long term investments and assets £2,002,337 (31 March 2022); 2,034,786 (31 March 2023)
  10. Total borrowings 0 (31 March 2022), 0 (31 March 2023)
  11. a. Disclosure note re Trust funds (Including charitable) The Counc/1, as a body corporate, acts as sole trustee and Is responsible for managing ‘Trust funds or assets. — Boxed “No” Ticked
    b. Disclosure note re Trust funds (including charitable) The figures /11 the accounting statements above do not Include any Trust transactions — Boxed “Yes” ticket

I certify that for the year ended 31 March 2023 the Accounting Statements In this Annual Governance and Accounlablllty Return have been prepared on either a receipts and payments or Income and expenditure basis following the guidance In Governance and Accountablllty for Smaller Authorities – a Practitioners’ Gulde to Proper Practices and present fairly the flnanclal position or this authority.

Signed by Responsible Financial Officer presented to the authority for approval

I confirm that these Accounting Statements were approved by this authority on this date: 14/06/2023

As recorded in minute reference 75

Date 12/06/2023

 

Section 3 – External Auditor’s Report and Certificate 2022/23

In respect of Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council – EX0229

Respective responsibilities of the auditor and the authority Our responsibility as auditors to complete a limited assurance review is set out by the National Audit Office (NAO). A limited assurance review is not a full statutory audit, it does not constitute an audit carried out in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK & Ireland) and hence it does not provide the same level of assurance that such an audit would. The UK Government has determined that a lower level of assurance than that provided by a full statutory audit is appropriate for those local public bodies with the lowest levels of spending. Under a limited assurance review, the auditor is responsible for reviewing Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return in accordance with NAO Auditor Guidance Note 02 (AGN 02) as issued by the NAO on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General. AGN 02 is available from the NAO website – https://www.nao.org.uk/code-audit­practice/guidance-and-information-for-auditors/ This authority is responsible for ensuring that its financial management is adequate and effective and that it has a sound system of internal control. The authority prepares an Annual Governance and Accountability Return in accordance with Proper Practices which:

• summarises the accounting records for the year ended 31 March 2023; and

• confirms and provides assurance on those matters that are relevant to our duties and responsibilities as external auditors.

2 External auditor’s limited assurance opinion 2022/23

On the basis of our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), in our opinion the information in Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.

Other matters not affecting our opinion which we draw to the attention of the authority:
The AGAR was not accurately completed before submission for review. The AGAR has been amended.

3 External auditor certificate 2022/23

We certify that we have completed our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return, and discharged our responsibilities under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, for the year ended 31 March 2023.

External Auditor Name: PKF LittleJohn LLP

Date: 11/09/2023