The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014

Consideration and signing of audited Annual Accounts

10.—(1) A local authority, or a committee of that authority whose remit includes audit or governance functions, must—

(a) meet to consider the audited Annual Accounts; and

(b) aim to approve those accounts for signature as described in this regulation no later than 30th September immediately following the financial year to which the accounts relate.

(2) That local authority or committee must consider whether the Annual Accounts should be signed, having regard to any report made on those accounts and any advice given by the proper officer or the auditor.

(3) Immediately following the approval of the Annual Accounts for signature, the statements which form part of those accounts are to be signed and dated as follows—

(a) the management commentary by the proper officer, the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council;

(b) the statement of responsibilities by the Leader of the Council and the proper officer, who must also certify the matters referred to in paragraphs (5) and (6) respectively;

(c) the annual governance statement by the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council;

(d) the remuneration report by the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council; and

(e) the balance sheets by the proper officer, to authorise publication of the financial statements.

(4) Where a local authority does not have a Chief Executive or a Leader of the Council, the statements that paragraph (3) requires that person to sign are to be signed by such other person as it nominates for that purpose.

(5) The person who signs the statement of responsibilities as Leader of the Council must certify that the Annual Accounts have been approved for signature by, or on behalf of, the authority.

(6) The proper officer must certify that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the local authority and its group at the end of the financial year and the transactions of the local authority and its group for that year.

(7) Following the signature of the Annual Accounts, the proper officer must provide the Annual Accounts, including the signed statements, to the auditor.

(8) Any further report provided by the auditor following the signature of the Annual Accounts which relates to those accounts must be considered by the local authority or a committee of that authority whose remit includes audit or governance functions.