Recommendations from auditors which follows Bromsgrove District Council’s failure to produce a statement of accounts are set to be discussed next week even though a robust action plan is already in place.

Despite being ‘pleased’ that the Council has already taken action earlier this year, auditors Grant Thornton have issued a section 24 notice on the Council because of its failure to deliver the 20/21 statement of accounts on time.

As discussed at previous Council meetings the trio of reasons for the delay include the ramifications of Covid and a higher than usual turnover of staff which occurred during the implementation of a new finance system, with the authority being the first in the country to use its module to log income.

The Council’s portfolio-holder for Finance Cllr Geoff Denaro said: “Like all local authorities each year we face reductions in our grants from central government and increased and differing demands for our services, especially in the Covid period. This coupled with the raft of challenges we faced last year meant there was no way we could meet the financial deadlines.

“However, I want to reassure residents that we are back on track and our new team and software means that we are stronger than ever to weather future financial storms.”

As per the auditor’s recommendations their report will be discussed at the Audit and Governance Committee meeting next Wednesday (Nov 9) and then at full Council on December 7th. Here the decision on whether the recommendations are to be accepted, and agreement that the actions the Council are taking in response to those recommendations, will lead to the 2020/21 Accounts being produced.

Council Leader Karen May said: “Of course we are disappointed in the auditor’s decision especially because of all the hard work we have put in over the last year when we first started working with them.

“But we understand and have been honest and upfront with not only the auditors but Council colleagues and residents as we discussed our position particularly the growing pains with the new finance system, at numerous public meetings.

“And this is not about the sustainability of the Council as I am now more confident than ever that this authority will build on this experience and, as always use our taxpayers’ monies to benefit everyone as we build an even better Bromsgrove.”