Issue - meetings

To receive a report regarding the Certifications of Claims and Returns – Annual Report 2016-17.

The Committee received the Certification of Claims and Returns – Annual Report 2016-17.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         Ernst and Young had checked and certified the housing benefits subsidy claim with a total value of £23,278,780.  The submission deadline had been met.

·         A qualification letter had been issued.

·         Certification work had found minor errors which had been corrected by the Council.  The main issues reported were highlighted including the fact that the testing of the initial sample of 20 cases of Rent Allowance had identified one case which had failed due to an overpayment of benefits as a result of incorrect determination of earned income.

·         Members noted the 2016-17 certification fee.

·         It was noted that from 2018-19 the Council would be responsible for appointing its own reporting accountant to undertake the certification of the housing benefits subsidiary claim in accordance with the Housing Benefits Assurance Process requirements being established by the Department of Works and Pensions.

·         Members felt that considering the overall size of the claim, the level of error identified was very good, and asked that their appreciation of the committed approach taken by officers, be noted.

RESOLVED:  That the Certification of Claims and Returns – Annual Report 2016-17 be noted.