AUDIT, GOVERNANCE AND

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

16 JANUARY 2017

Is the final decision on the recommendations in this report to be made at this meeting?

Yes

 

Housing Benefit Grant Claim

 

Final Decision-Maker

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

Lead Head of Service

Sheila Coburn

Lead Officer and Report Author

Liz Norris

Classification

Public

Wards affected

All

 

 

This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee:

1.   That the Committee notes the Grant Thornton assurance that the Council maintains a strong control environment for the preparation and monitoring of grant claims and returns.

 

 

 

This report relates to the following corporate priorities:

 

In maintaining effective financial controls the Council is able to confidently progress its priorities.

·         Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all

·         Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

16th January 2017



Housing Benefit Grant Claim

 

 

1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.1     To consider the outcome of the Grant Thornton work to certify the subsidy claim that the Council submitted during 2015-2016.

 

 

 

 

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

 

2.1     Grant Thornton undertook work to certify the Housing Benefit grant claim that was submitted by the Council with a value of £47.3 million, with the process completed in advance of the 30th November 2016 deadline set by the Department of Work and Pensions.

 

2.2     The level and form of testing reflect the value and specific requirements of the grant paying body, as detailed within Appendix A.

 

 

 

 

3.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

3.1     Report is provided for information only.

 

 

4.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

 

4.1     Report is provided for information only.

 

 

 

5.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

 

 

Issue

Implications

Sign-off

Impact on Corporate Priorities

In maintaining effective financial controls the Council is able to confidently progress its priorities

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Risk Management

Certification provides external assurance to the Council on the effectiveness of its contents around accurate payment and recording of benefit expenditure

Head of Audit Service

Financial

The financial considerations have been outlined within the body of the report and attached appendices

Section 151 Officer 

Staffing

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Legal

No Impact

Interim Deputy Head of Legal Partnership

Equality Impact Needs Assessment

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Environmental/Sustainable Development

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Community Safety

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Human Rights Act

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Procurement

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Asset Management

No Impact

Head of Revenues and Benefits

 

6.        REPORT APPENDICES

 

The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:

·         Appendix A: Grant Thornton Certification Letter

 

 

7.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

None.