Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to present the audited financial statements of Ansa Environmental Services Ltd and Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd for the year 2022/23.

The committee considered the report which presented the audited financial statements of ANSA Environmental Services Ltd and Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd for the year 2022-23, and the summary of findings from Grant Thornton, the Group of Companies’ external auditors 2022-23. It was noted that, as a result of the audit work, no material changes had been made since the summary of accounts was presented to the committee on 8 June 2023. It was highlighted that an unqualified opinion had been given for both companies.

Members of the committee raised the following:

It was noted that the revised Company Shareholder Agreement had not yet been signed off and enacted by either company. Officers confirmed that they were actively pursuing this and would seek further clarification from the companies.

Members raised concerns in relation to administrative expenses and the failure to obtain receipts for all transactions on employee’s company purchase card statements. It was highlighted that, for 2023-24, additional procedures had been introduced to ensure receipts were provided as part of a monthly monitoring process. Members noted the management process for dealing with non-compliance and requested details as to how many times this process had been acted upon. Officers committed to providing a written response.

Members queried the role of non-Executive Directors of the Wholly Owned Companies and the governance of these companies. It was proposed that an informal briefing be arranged for the committee prior to the Finance Sub Committee 21 June 2024 which would consider the governance of the companies in detail. It was suggested that the committee consider establishing a Working Group following this informal briefing to understand and consider in detail any implications and changes in relationships.