Meeting Details

In terms of Standing Order 20 and the Councillors' Code of Conduct, there were no declarations from Group Leaders or Spokespersons in regard to any prior decisions taken on how Members will vote on any item on the agenda or any declarations of Member's interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

Report by Depute Chief Executive (Economy,Environment and Finance) provided the Council with a copy of the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report to Council on the 2019/20 Audit.

On the invitation of the Chair, Brian Howarth,External Audit provided the meeting with a summary of the main findings arising from the 2019/20 audit of Moray Council. He stated that it was a clean audit certificate and as part of that had drawn attention to the  greater uncertainty seen this year with property devaluations, COVID-19  and some elements of the pension fund investments. He also referred to the impact the current global pandemic has had on the audit process and recorded thanks to the support provided by officers given during this time of remote working and lockdown. He further stated that overall 2019/20 financially had been a good year for the Council with savings targets being exceeded and the general fund increased and referred to Exhibit 6 in the report which shows a general pattern of decline in the general fund has been reduced in the past few years which has allowed the council to set aside reserves to help with transformation. He further highlighted the key messages as outlined in page 30 of the annual report.  Thereafter he responded to Members questions.

Following discussion, the Council agreed to note the External Auditor's report.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) submitting to the Council the Audited Annual Accounts for Moray Council for the year ended 31 March 2020 and asking the Council to approve the sign off of the Annual Accounts.

Following discussion the Council agreed to approve the sign off of the Annual Accounts, having regard to the Annual Report from the external auditor considered earlier at the meeting.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) submitted to the Council for approval the audited Annual Accounts for Moray Council's Connected Charities for the year ended 31 March 2020.

Following consideration the Council agreed to approve the audited Annual Accounts for the Connected Charities for the financial year 2019/20.

Councillor Leadbitter chaired the Meeting.

In terms of Standing Order 68 the meeting agreed to discuss Agenda Item 6 'Health and Social Care Budget Pressure' in confidence in order to allow Members to discuss the report in more detail. 

The Meeting therefore resolved that under Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended, the public and media representatives be excluded from the meeting for Agenda Item 6 of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information of the class described in the relevant Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.