Conservative-led West Lindsey District Council has been given a clean bill of health according to an annual audit into its financial accounts.

The audit was undertaken by the council’s independent external auditors KPMG, to assess the council on its financial statements for the 2015/2016 financial year, and they have given the best possible result, an unqualified opinion. The report states:

“In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the authority as at 31 March 2016 and of the authority’s expenditure and income for the year then ended.”

The report concluded that the council achieved ‘unqualified value for money’. This means they are satisfied that the authority has proper arrangements for securing financial resilience and challenging how it secures economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

The independent assessment has been welcomed by the Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, Cllr. Giles McNeill who said:

“I am pleased to see that we have a received independent confirmation that the Council are managing its public finances well, continuing to support our communities.

“The council made £2.6 million available across the district to enable our communities to develop and thrive through 165 individual projects.

“In addition, almost 400 individual grants were awarded, totalling more than three quarters of a million pounds to support community based schemes. This in turn, brought in match funding in excess of eight hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

“Together with local communities and our partners we have been able to achieve a great deal.”

The council has also worked to encourage volunteering across the district, resulting in almost 49,000 volunteer hours undertaken. This equates to over £500,000 of social value invested across the district.

Other success include:

• Trinity Arts Centre is receiving less financial support from council funds than it would if it was left empty. This is due to an improved entertainment offer drawing larger audiences
• Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice moved in to the offices at the Guildhall to join existing tenants from Lincolnshire County Council. The creation of the Public Services Hub was designed to provide joined up, complementary services to customers. This method of joined up working has been recognised nationally.
• 11 Public access terminals have also been set up to enable customers to access services and information online.
• The council has one of the highest collection rates in the country for council tax 98.34% and 99.44% for Business Rates.