Present: Cllrs Irwin (Chairman), Emmerson, Fryer, Patterson, Rutland, Strike and Watson.

Also in attendance:Mrs. J. McGeeney, Town Clerk.

1. Housekeeping: The Chairman advised those present of the emergency escape procedures and outlined the Town Council’s protocol on public participation. It was requested that mobile phones be switched to silent. If a call was received and had to be taken Members were politely requested to leave the room.


2. Notice of Meeting: The Chairman noted the Notice of the Meeting had been published on the Town Council’s website and on the notice board at the Ingleby Barwick Community Hall, Beckfields and the Rings Community Hub.


3. Apologies for Absence: Cllrs Barnes, Brown, Dodds, Kirby and Turnbull.


4. Declaration of Interests: None


5. Finance, the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/2022: Members were advised that the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/2022 was due for submission to Mazars by 30th June 2022. The following documents were presented for approval:
   
   
   1. End of Year Accounts 2021/2022 – The End of Year Accounts for the Financial Year 2021/2022 were submitted for Members’ information. The bank reconciliation showed a balance as at 31st March of £268,659.12.
   
   
   2. Internal Audit Report 2021/2022 – The Town Council’s end of year accounts had been audited by Mr Gordon Fletcher. The audit acted independently and on a basis of an assessment of risk, carried out a selective assessment of compliance with relevant procedures and controls in operation during the financial year ended 31st March 2022. The objectives of internal control were highlighted alongside the internal audit conclusions on whether the control objectives were being achieved throughout the financial year. The internal auditor concluded that 12 out of the 14 objectives had an affirmative response, two control objectives were not covered as they were not applicable.
   
   
   3. Annual Return 2021/2022 – it is the responsibility of the Town Council to ensure the sound system of internal control, including arrangements for the preparation of accounting systems was in place. The Town Council acknowledged that it was able to meet all the requirements and answer ‘yes’ to the eight statements contained within the Annual Governance Statement. In respect of Trust Funds the Town Council answered ‘not applicable’. The exercise of the electors’ rights would be published on the Town Council’s website in accordance with the requirements of the accounts and audit regulations for 30 working days. PROPOSED by Cllr Irwin and SECONDED by Cllr Watson and unanimously AGREED that the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/2022 be AGREED, signed by the Chairman and Town Clerk/ Responsible Financial Officer and returned to Mazars by the deadline of 30th June 2022.
   
   


6. Cornerhouse Youth Project – Cornerhouse Youth Project would be invited to the next meeting of the Town Council to present a submission to Councillors on how they could provide a dedicated youth provision at the Rings Community Hub.

The meeting ended at 6.20pm