Agenda item

This report provides the Audit & Governance Committee with the outcome and findings of the external audit of the 2020/21 financial statements of Hendeca Group Ltd, Surrey Choices Ltd, Halsey Garton Residential Ltd, and Halsey Garton Property Ltd.

Speakers:

Paul Forester, Strategic Finance Business Partner

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Strategic Finance Business Partner introduced the submitted report and explained that each company had received a qualified Audit report.

2.    The Strategic Finance Business Partner did not have the information to respond to a Member asked about the reason for increase in administration expenses for Hendeca but would provide the response after the meeting.

3.    A Member asked about how the Halsey Garton Residential Ltd properties, previously owned by Surrey County Council, were handled historically, from an accounting point of view and what was the future.  The Strategic Finance Business Partner explained that there were two tranches transferred to Halsey Garton Residential Ltd; long term lets previously to the Wildlife Trust and another tranche previously held under residential company lets.  The properties were also leasehold rather than freehold so purchase of land was not a requirement.  Going forward there was to be a housing strategy developed by SCC and Halsey Garton Residential Ltd was one company being considered but at the moment there were no plans for Halsey Garton Residential Ltd to procure properties outside of Surrey County Council.

4.    A Members queried the doubling of debtors for Hendeca Group and the number of creditors had risen.  The Strategic Finance Business Partner explained that there were delays at year end but this had now been resolved.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

None.

Resolved:

That the 2020/21 Audit Findings Reports for Hendeca Group Ltd (formerly S. E. Business Services Ltd), Surrey Choices Ltd, Halsey Garton Residential Ltd, and Halsey Garton Property Ltd be noted.