West Devon December Report
WDBC Parish Council Report December 2022
AUDITOR GIVES COUNCIL FINANCES A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
West Devon Borough Council will be one of the first few councils in Devon to have its Annual Accounts and Audit signed off. On Tuesday 22 November, West Devon Borough Council’s Audit and Governance Committee met to approve the Council’s Annual Accounts for 2021/22. The Council has been given a clean bill of health by external auditors, Grant Thornton LLP, who have now issued an unqualified opinion on the Council’s Accounts. Grant Thornton made specific reference to the high quality of the work and accounting records by the Council’s finance team with very few adjustments to the draft accounts as a result of the audit. They stated that this reflects favourably in comparison to other Councils.
This means the Council’s financial statements were properly prepared in accordance with the Accounting Code of Practice and give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Council and its income and expenditure for the year.
There was praise too for the positive and constructive approach the Council made to the annual audit and inspection with audit queries being responded to in a quick and efficient manner. The audit work was completed through a hybrid approach, with a mixture of on-site and remote work during July to November, with a significant amount of time being invested by Council staff.
Funding for Outside Bodies
The Council agreed to extend the funding for the following key partners for a further two years as follows:
– West Devon CVS £5,100;
– OCRA Sport £1,333;
– Okehampton Community Transport £ 6,533;
– Tavistock Community Transport £6,533;
– Young Devon £2,500; and
– World Heritage Site £4,000;
In recognition of the additional support required by Citizens Advice, the Council agree an increase in funding for each of the next two years; At the Council meeting held on 27 September 2022 we decided to continue to financially contribute £8,835 to the Tamar Valley AONB Partnership.
South Zeal Stores Steering Group.
The survey has been extended until end December, so far 216 responses have been received and 42% would use the stores 2 or 3 times weekly. Of the outreach PO users, the majority rate this service as highly important. The next step will be a public meeting in South Zeal Village Hall around the14th January, depending on availability. It will be at 5pm and refreshments will eb available and raffle to cover costs. Look for an update in The Beacon to confirm date.
Beacon path update
The feasibility study will go ahead in January. The proposed route will be finalised for this active travel route to go forward to DCC for inclusion in the planned transport hub centred on the Parkway station.
Cllr Lynn Daniel December 2022