Accounting delays ‘a blip’ says Wealden council leader

Wealden District Council offices, Hailsham SUS-170401-214707008

Delays to the publication of a key financial document have been described as ‘a blip’ by the leader of Wealden District Council.

Speaking at a meeting of Wealden’s audit, finance and governance committee on Wednesday (July 31), Conservative council leader Bob Standley spoke to councillors about delays to the publication of the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts – a detailed annual report which lays out the financial results of the authority’s activities.

While the committee was due to approve the full document, it was only able to consider a draft version as the figures have yet to be externally audited following delays in the process.

Cllr Standley (Con, Frant and Wadhurst) said: “I think we should treat this as a bit of a blip.

“Last year we were actually ahead of time, and there have been particular circumstances which I am sure we won’t go into here, which have led to this situation.

“It is not an ongoing problem, it was a short term problem. We have a reputation for sound business and financial management and that is not affected by this.”

According to a report considered by the committee, the delay to publication was mainly down to a ‘temporary lack of capacity’ over the time when the accounts needed to be closed. These included sickness, resignation and delays to filling vacancies, the report said.