Agenda Document Pack - Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee - 24/11/2025
South Lanarkshire Council · 24 November 2025
Back to Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee — 24 November 2025 and its agenda
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Council Offices South Lanarkshire Council Almada Street Hamilton ML3 0AA Friday, 14 November 2025 Dear Councillor Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Joint Committee to be held as follows:- Date: Monday, 24 November 2025 Time: 14:00 Venue: By Microsoft Teams, The business to be considered at the meeting is listed overleaf. Yours sincerely Jackie Taylor Clerk to the Joint Committee Members Council Member Substitute East Renfrewshire Andrew Anderson Glasgow City Anne McTaggart Inverclyde Francesca Brennan (Vice Convener) Jim Clocherty North Lanarkshire Michael McBride South Lanarkshire Gavin Keatt (Convener) Susan Kerr Copies to substitute members for information only 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 3 - 6 Item(s) for Monitoring 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/2026 - Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Report dated 31 October 2025 by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. (Copy attached) 7 - 10 4 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee - 2024/2025 Annual Audit Report Letter and Annual Audit Report by Audit Scotland, External Auditor. (Copy attached) 11 - 36 Item(s) for Decision 5 Audited Annual Accounts 2024/2025 Report dated 31 October 2025 by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. (Copy attached) 37 - 70 Urgent Business 6 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Stuart McLeod Clerk Telephone: 07385 370 117 Clerk Email: stuart.mcleod@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 2
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CLYDE VALLEY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT JOINT COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting held via Microsoft Teams on 9 June 2025 Convener: Councillor Gavin Keatt, South Lanarkshire Council Councillors Present: East Renfrewshire Council: Andrew Anderson Glasgow City Council: Anne McTaggart Inverclyde Council: Francesca Brennan (Vice Convener) North Lanarkshire Council: Michael McBride Attending: Clerk’s Office Stuart McLeod, Administration Officer, South Lanarkshire Council Treasurer’s Office Lorraine O’Hagan, Head of Finance (Strategy); Blair Riddoch, Trainee Accountant, South Lanarkshire Council Clyde Valley Learning and Development Project Simon Hall, Learning and Development Adviser, South Lanarkshire Council Project Steering Group Tracy Ferguson (Chair), South Lanarkshire Council Also Attending: Audit Scotland Pauline Murray, Senior Audit Manager 1 Declaration of Interests No interests were declared. 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee held on 10 February 2025 were submitted for approval as a correct record. The Joint Committee decided: that the minutes be approved as a correct record. 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/2026 – Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee A report dated 16 May 2025 by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee was submitted:- providing a forecast for the year to 31 March 2026 providing actual expenditure at 16 May 2025 2 3
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As reported to the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 10 February 2025, 14 councils had confirmed their membership position for 2025/2026. This had taken the membership contributions to £0.071 million. The final membership position had been confirmed at the meeting held on 10 February 2025 as remaining at 14 member councils. Member council contributions formed the basis for the expenditure budget for 2025/2026 of £0.071 million. This funded the management fee to South Lanarkshire Council of £0.059 million, project work totalling £0.010 million and the external audit fee of £0.002 million. In addition to the membership contributions, estimated training expenditure of £0.025 million and the recharge to member councils of £0.025 million had been included in the budget, resulting in a total expenditure and income budget of £0.096 million for 2025/2026. As at 16 May 2025, there was a projected breakeven position against the budget, as detailed in Appendix A to the report. The Joint Committee decided: (1) that the 2025/2026 member council contributions and resultant income and expenditure budgets for the year be noted; and (2) that the projected breakeven position on the revenue budget, as detailed in Appendix A of the report, be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 10 February 2025 (Paragraph 3)] Councillor McBride joined the meeting after consideration of this item of business 4 Annual Governance Statement 2024/2025 A report dated 16 May 2025 by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee was submitted on the Annual Governance Statement for 2024/2025 which would be included in the Joint Committee’s 2024/2025 Annual Accounts. The Joint Committee’s Annual Governance Statement 2024/2025, which was attached at Appendix 1 to the report, provided details of the systems for internal control which were in place to ensure a robust governance structure. For 2024/2025, the Treasurer’s opinion was that reasonable assurance could be placed on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Joint Committee’s framework of governance, risk management and control arrangements. The Head of Finance (Strategy) responded to a member’s questions in relation to measures that South Lanarkshire Council had in place to protect against cyber-attacks. The Joint Committee decided: that the Annual Governance Statement, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, which would be included in the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s 2024/2025 Annual Accounts, be approved. 4
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5 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee - Annual Audit Plan 2024/2025 The Joint Committee considered the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Annual Audit Plan for 2024/2025, dated March 2025, submitted by the Joint Committee’s external auditors, Audit Scotland. The Plan set out the audit work necessary to allow Audit Scotland to provide an independent auditor’s report and meet the audit requirements set out in auditing standards and the Code of Audit Practice, including supplementary guidance. The Plan was structured around the following areas:- introduction audit scope and responsibilities audit of the annual accounts wider scope and Best Value reporting arrangements, timetable and audit fee other matters, including internal audit and audit quality Details were given on key aspects of those areas. The Joint Committee decided: that the Annual Audit Plan for 2024/2025 be noted. 6 Unaudited Annual Accounts 2024/2025 A report dated 16 May 2025 by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee was submitted on the unaudited Annual Accounts for the Joint Committee for the year ended 31 March 2025. The unaudited Annual Accounts, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, detailed the revenue account and balance sheet to 31 March 2025 for the Joint Committee. The Accounts showed that the Joint Committee’s total revenue expenditure had amounted to £0.084 million in 2024/2025 and had been met by income of £0.099 million. This had resulted in a £0.015 million surplus which would be transferred to reserves for use in future years. The balance on reserves as at 31 March 2025 was £0.064 million. The unaudited Annual Accounts for 2024/2025 would be passed to the external auditor for consideration by 30 June 2025. The Head of Finance (Strategy) responded to a member’s questions in relation to the use of reserves. The Chair of the Project Steering Group responded to a member’s question in relation to the benefits and outcomes of the Project in 2024/2025. The Joint Committee decided: that the unaudited Annual Accounts for the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee for year ended 31 March 2025 be noted. 7 Changes in Membership of the Joint Committee A report dated 7 May 2025 by the Clerk to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee was submitted on changes to the membership of the Joint Committee. Councillor Lynsey Hamilton was on family leave and had been replaced by Councillor Gavin Keatt, as a member of the Joint Committee, for the duration of Councillor Hamilton’s leave. 5
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In terms of paragraph 3.6 of the Minute of Agreement for the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Project, the Convener of the Joint Committee should be an elected representative appointed by the Lead Authority from time to time, therefore, Councillor Gavin Keatt would also replace Councillor Lynsey Hamilton as the Convener of the Joint Committee for the duration of Councillor Hamilton’s leave. Further to the change in membership detailed above, Councillor Susan Kerr would replace Councillor Gavin Keatt as a substitute member of the Joint Committee for the duration of Councillor Hamilton’s leave. The changes in membership were effective from 28 April 2025. The Joint Committee decided: (1) to note that Councillor Gavin Keatt had temporarily replaced Councillor Lynsey Hamilton as a member for South Lanarkshire Council and Convener of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee; and (2) that it be noted that Councillor Susan Kerr had replaced Councillor Gavin Keatt as a substitute member for South Lanarkshire Council on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. 8 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. Convener’s Closing Remarks The Convener advised that this would be the last meeting that Tracy Ferguson, Chair of the Project Steering Group, would be attending prior to leaving her employment with South Lanarkshire Council. The Convener, on behalf of the members of the Joint Committee, thanked Tracy for her valuable contribution, assistance and advice to the Joint Committee, and wished her well for the future. 6
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Date: 24 November 2025 Report by: Treasurer to Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Subject: Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/2026 - Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- [purpose] provide information on the forecast expenditure for the year and the actual expenditure for the period 1 April 2025 to 3 October 2025 for Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee [1purpose] 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Joint Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- [] (1) that the 2025/2026 Member Contributions and resultant income and expenditure budgets for the year be noted; and (2) that the breakeven position on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee revenue budget, as detailed in Appendix A of the report, be noted. [1recs] 3. Background 3.1. The running costs for the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee are funded by contributions from the Member Councils. As advised previously, the total Member Contributions amount to £0.071 million from 14 Councils. 3.2. These Member Contributions form the basis for the expenditure budget for 2025/2026 (£0.071 million). This funds the Management Fee to South Lanarkshire Council (£0.059 million), project work (£0.010 million), and the External Audit fee (£0.002 million). 3.3. In addition, an estimate of training expenditure (£0.025 million), and the recharge of this to Councils (£0.025 million) has also been added to the budget, giving a total expenditure and income budget of £0.096 million. 3.4. The report details the financial position for the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee in Appendix A. 4. Employee Implications 4.1. None 3 7
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5. Financial Implications 5.1. The financial position as at 3 October 2025 is shown in Appendix 1. The forecast for the year is a breakeven position against the budget. 5.2. As at 3 October 2025, expenditure of £0.079m has been incurred, and all member contributions amounting to £0.071m have been received. This results in a net expenditure position of £0.008 million which relates to training invoices which have not yet been recharged to Members. As in previous years, training costs are incurred throughout the year, and Members will be recharged for their share at the end of the financial year. 6. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 6.1. There are no implications for climate change, sustainability or the environment in terms of the information contained in this report. 7. Other Implications 7.1. The main risk associated with the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Revenue Budget is that there is an overspend. The risk has been assessed as low given the detailed budget management applied within the Joint Committee. The risk is managed through four weekly Budget Monitoring when any variance is analysed. In addition, the probable outturn exercise will ensure early warning for corrective action to be taken where appropriate. 8. Integrated Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 8.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function or strategy and therefore no impact assessment is required. 8.2. There is also no requirement to undertake any consultation in terms of the information contained in the report. Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer 31 October 2025 Previous References Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee – 9 June 2025 List of Background Papers Financial ledger and budget monitoring results to 3 October 2025 Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Graham Booth, Finance Manager (Strategy) Ext: 2699 (Tel: 01698 452699) E-mail: graham.booth@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 8
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Appendix A CLYDE VALLEY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT JOINT COMMITTEE Revenue Budget Monitoring Report Period Ended 3 October 2025 (No.7) Annual Budget Projected Outturn Projected Outturn Variance Over/ Under % Variance YTD Actual £000 £000 £000 £000 Budget Category Employee Costs 0 0 0 - n/a 0 Property Costs 0 0 0 - n/a 0 Supplies & Services 10 10 0 - 0.0% 0 Transport & Plant 0 0 0 - n/a 0 Administration Costs 84 84 0 - 0.0% 77 Payments to Other Bodies 2 2 0 - 0.0% 2 Payments to Contractors 0 0 0 - n/a 0 Transfer Payments 0 0 0 - n/a 0 Financing Charges 0 0 0 - n/a 0 Total Controllable Exp. 96 96 0 - 0.0% 79 Total Controllable Inc. (96) (96) 0 - 0.0% (71) Net Controllable Exp. 0 0 0 - 0.0% 8 Note: The net expenditure position is timing only, and reflects costs which will be recharged to Members at the year-end. 9
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4th Floor 102 West Port Edinburgh EH3 9DN T: 0131 625 1500 E: info@audit-scotland.gov.uk www.audit-scotland.gov.uk Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 24 November 2025 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Audit of 2024/25 annual accounts Independent Auditor’s Report 1. My audit work on the 2024/25 annual accounts is now substantially complete. I anticipate being able to issue unmodified audit opinions in the Independent Auditor's Report on 24 November 2025. The proposed Independent Auditor’s Report is attached at Appendix A. Annual Audit Report 2. Under International Standards on Auditing in the UK (ISA (UK)), I am required to report specific matters identified from the audit of the annual accounts to those charged with governance of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee in sufficient time to enable appropriate action. I present for the committee's consideration my draft Annual Audit Report on the 2024/25 audit. The section headed "Significant findings and key audit matters" sets out the issues identified in respect of the annual accounts, including those that I am required to report to you. 3. The Annual Audit Report also sets out conclusions on the wider scope areas that frame public audit as set out in the Code of Audit Practice. 4. The Annual Audit Report will be issued in final form after the audit of the annual accounts has been completed. Uncorrected misstatements 5. I also report to those charged with governance all uncorrected misstatements in the annual accounts which I have identified during the course of my audit, other than those of a trivial nature, and request that these misstatements be corrected. 6. There is one misstatement which if corrected, this would decrease expenditure by £1.3k and decrease creditors by the same amount. Full details of the uncorrected errors are included in paragraph 27 of the Annual Audit Report. Other ISA (UK) matters 7. In presenting this letter and the Annual Audit Report to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee, I seek confirmation from those charged with governance on the following matters: • if they are aware of any instances of actual, suspected, or alleged fraud, • if they are aware of any subsequent events that have occurred since the date of the financial statements, 4 11
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• if they are content that the methods, assumptions, and data used in making accounting estimates in the annual accounts are appropriate, • if all related party relationships and transactions they are aware of are reflected in the annual accounts, and • if they are aware of any non-compliance with laws and regulations. 8. Any issues that I have identified from my audit in relation to other ISA (UK) matters that I am required to report to those charged with governance have been reported in the Annual Audit Report. There were no significant findings or key matters to report. Representations from the Treasurer 9. As part of the completion of the audit, I am seeking written representations from the Treasurer, who is the Section 95 Officer, on aspects of the annual accounts, including the judgements and estimates made. 10. A draft letter of representations is attached at Appendix B. This should be signed and returned to me by the Treasurer with the signed annual accounts prior to the Independent Auditor’s Report being signed. 12
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Appendix A: Proposed Independent Auditor’s Report Independent auditor’s report to the members of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee and the Accounts Commission Reporting on the audit of the financial statements Opinion on financial statements I certify that I have audited the financial statements in the annual accounts of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee for the year ended 31 March 2025 under Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The financial statements comprise the Movement in Reserves Statement, Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2024/25 (the 2024/25 Code). In my opinion the accompanying financial statements: • give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee as at 31 March 2025 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended; • have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the 2024/25 Code; and • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Basis for opinion I conducted my audit in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)), as required by the Code of Audit Practice approved by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my report. I was appointed by the Accounts Commission on 16 March 2023. My period of appointment is five years, covering 2022/23 to 2026/27. I am independent of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the UK including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. Non-audit services prohibited by the Ethical Standard were not provided to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern basis of accounting I have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 13
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Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. These conclusions are not intended to, nor do they, provide assurance on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s current or future financial sustainability. However, I report on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s arrangements for financial sustainability in a separate Annual Audit Report available from the Audit Scotland website. Risks of material misstatement I report in my Annual Audit Report the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement that I identified and my judgements thereon. Responsibilities of the Treasurer and Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee for the financial statements As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities, the Treasurer is responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with the financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as the Treasurer determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Treasurer is responsible for assessing the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an intention to discontinue the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s operations. The Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. I design procedures in line with my responsibilities outlined above to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Procedures include: • using my understanding of the local government sector to identify that the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 are significant in the context of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee; 14
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• inquiring of the Treasurer as to other laws or regulations that may be expected to have a fundamental effect on the operations of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee; • inquiring of the Treasurer concerning the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework; • discussions among my audit team on the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur; and • considering whether the audit team collectively has the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is affected by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error as fraud may involve collusion, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. The capability of the audit to detect fraud and other irregularities depends on factors such as the skilfulness of the perpetrator, the frequency and extent of manipulation, the degree of collusion involved, the relative size of individual amounts manipulated, and the seniority of those individuals involved. A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of my auditor’s report. Reporting on other requirements Other information The Treasurer is responsible for the other information in the annual accounts. The other information comprises the Management Commentary, Annual Governance Statement and Statement of Responsibilities. My responsibility is to read all the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or my knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact. I have nothing to report in this regard. My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon except on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement to the extent explicitly stated in the following opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission. Opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement 15
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In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: • the information given in the Management Commentary for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance issued under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003; and • the information given in the Annual Governance Statement for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework (2016). Matters on which I am required to report by exception I am required by the Accounts Commission to report to you if, in my opinion: • adequate accounting records have not been kept; or • the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or • I have not received all the information and explanations I require for my audit. I have nothing to report in respect of these matters. Conclusions on wider scope responsibilities In addition to my responsibilities for the annual accounts, my conclusions on the wider scope responsibilities specified in the Code of Audit Practice, including those in respect of Best Value, are set out in my Annual Audit Report. Use of my report This report is made solely to the parties to whom it is addressed in accordance with Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and for no other purpose. In accordance with paragraph 108 of the Code of Audit Practice, I do not undertake to have responsibilities to members or officers, in their individual capacities, or to third parties. Pauline Murray CPFA Audit Scotland 4th Floor 102 West Port Edinburgh EH3 9DN 16
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Appendix B: Letter of Representations (ISA (UK) 580) Pauline Murray Audit Scotland 4th Floor 102 West Port Edinburgh EH3 9DN Dear Pauline Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Annual accounts 2024/25 This representation letter is provided in connection with your audit of the annual report and accounts of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee, hereafter referred to as the Joint Committee, for the year ended 31 March 2025 for the purpose of expressing an opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and have been properly prepared, and for expressing other opinions on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement. I confirm to the best of my knowledge and belief, and having made such enquiries as I considered necessary, the following representations given to you in connection with your audit of the Joint Committee’s annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. General I have fulfilled my responsibilities for the preparation of the 2024/25 annual accounts as set out in your 2024/25 Annual Audit Plan. All the accounting records, documentation, and other matters which I am aware are relevant to the preparation of the annual accounts have been made available to you for the purposes of your audit. All transactions undertaken by the Joint Committee have been recorded in the accounting records and are properly reflected in the financial statements. I confirm that the effects of uncorrected misstatements are immaterial, individually and in aggregate, to the financial statements as a whole. I am not aware of any uncorrected misstatements other than those reported by you. Financial Reporting Framework The annual accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2024/25 (2024/25 Code), and the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, and the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014. In accordance with the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, I have ensured that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Joint Committee at 31 March 2025 and the transactions for 2024/25. 17
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Accounting Policies and Estimates All material accounting policies applied are as shown in the note included in the financial statements. The accounting policies are determined by the 2024/25 Code, where applicable. Where the 2024/25 Code does not specifically apply, I have used judgement in developing and applying an accounting policy that results in information that is relevant and reliable. All accounting policies applied are appropriate to the Joint Committee’s circumstances and have been consistently applied. The methodology, significant assumptions, and data used in making accounting estimates are reasonable, and have been properly reflected and disclosed in the financial statements in accordance with the 2024/25 Code. Judgements made in making estimates have been based on the latest available and reliable information. Estimates have been revised where there are changes in the circumstances on which the original estimate was based or as a result of new information or experience. Going Concern Basis of Accounting I have assessed the Joint Committee’s ability to continue to use the going concern basis of accounting and have concluded that it is appropriate. I am not aware of any material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the Joint Committee’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting. Assets The Joint Committee does not own or lease any assets. Liabilities All liabilities at 31 March 2025 of which I am aware have been reported in the financial statements. Contingent Liabilities There are no significant contingent liabilities arising either under formal agreement or through formal undertakings requiring disclosure in the financial statements. Litigation and Claims There are no known actual or possible legal claims requiring disclosure in the accounts. Fraud I understand my responsibilities for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control to prevent fraud and I believe I have appropriately fulfilled those responsibilities. I have provided you with all information in relation to: • my assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud, • any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the financial statements, and • fraud or suspected fraud that I am aware of involving management, employees who have a significant role in internal control, or others that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 18
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Laws and Regulations I have disclosed to you all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing financial statements. Related Party Transactions All material transactions with related parties have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements in accordance with IAS 24, as adopted by the 2024/25 Code. I have made available to you the identity of all of the Joint Committee’s related parties and all the related party transactions of which I am aware. Management Commentary I confirm that the Management Commentary has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance, and the information is consistent with the financial statements. Corporate Governance I confirm the Joint Committee has undertaken a review of the system of internal control during 2024/25 to establish the extent to which it complies with proper practices set out in Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework 2016. I have disclosed to you all deficiencies in internal control identified from this review or of which I am otherwise aware. I confirm that the Annual Governance Statement has been prepared in accordance with the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework 2016 and the information is consistent with the financial statements. There have been no changes in the corporate governance arrangements, or issues identified, since 31 March 2025 which require to be reflected in the Annual Governance Statement or annual accounts. Events Subsequent to the Date of the Balance Sheet All events subsequent to 31 March 2025 for which IAS 10, as adopted by the 2024/25 Code, requires adjustment or disclosure have been adjusted or disclosed. Yours sincerely Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 19
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Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 2024/25 Annual Audit Report - DRAFT Prepared for the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee and the Controller of Audit November 2025 21
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Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee: 2024/25 Annual Audit Report - DRAFT | 2 Contents Key messages 3 Introduction 4 Audit scope and responsibilities 5 Audit of the annual accounts 7 Financial Sustainability and Best Value audit 12 Appendix 1 15 Accessibility You can find out more and read this report using assistive technology on our website www.audit.scot/accessibility. 22
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Key messages | 3 Key messages Audit of the annual accounts 1 All audit opinions stated that the annual accounts were free from material misstatement. 2 There were no significant findings or key audit matters to report. Financial Sustainability and Best Value audit 3 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee has effective and appropriate arrangements in place for securing financial sustainability. 4 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee has effective and appropriate arrangements in place for securing Best Value. 23
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Introduction | 4 Introduction Purpose of the Annual Audit Report 1. The purpose of this Annual Audit Report is to report the significant matters identified from the 2024/25 audit of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s annual accounts and the wider scope areas specified in the Code of Audit Practice (2021). 2. The Annual Audit Report is addressed to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee, hereafter referred to as ‘the Joint Committee’ and the Controller of Audit, and will be published on Audit Scotland’s website in due course. Appointed auditor and independence 3. Pauline Murray, of Audit Scotland, has been appointed as external auditor of the Joint Committee for the period from 2022/23 until 2026/27. As reported in the Annual Audit Plan, Pauline Murray and the audit team are independent of the Joint Committee in accordance with relevant ethical requirements, including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard. There have been no developments since the issue of the Annual Audit Plan that impact on the continued independence of the engagement lead or the rest of the audit team from the Joint Committee, including no provision of non-audit services. Acknowledgements 4. We would like to thank the Joint Committee and its staff, particularly those involved in preparation of the annual accounts, for their cooperation and assistance during the audit. We look forward to working together constructively over the remainder of the five-year audit appointment. 24
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Audit scope and responsibilities | 5 Audit scope and responsibilities Scope of the audit 5. The audit is performed in accordance with the Code of Audit Practice, including supplementary guidance, International Standards on Auditing (ISA) (UK), and relevant legislation. These set out the requirements for the scope of the audit which includes: • An audit of the financial statements and an opinion on whether they give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement. • An opinion on statutory other information published with the financial statements in the annual accounts, namely the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement. • Concluding on the financial sustainability of the Joint Committee and a review of the Annual Governance Statement. • Reporting on the Joint Committee’s arrangements for securing Best Value. • Provision of this Annual Audit Report. Responsibilities and reporting 6. The Code of Audit Practice sets out the respective responsibilities of the body and the auditor. A summary of the key responsibilities is outlined below. Auditor’s responsibilities 7. The responsibilities of auditors in the public sector are established in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. These include providing an independent opinion on the financial statements and other information reported within the annual accounts, and concluding on the Joint Committee’s arrangements in place for the wider scope areas and Best Value. 8. The matters reported in the Annual Audit Report are only those that have been identified by the audit team during normal audit work and may not be all that exist. Communicating these does not absolve the Joint Committee from its responsibilities outlined below. 25
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Audit scope and responsibilities | 6 The Joint Committee’s responsibilities 9. The Joint Committee has primary responsibility for ensuring proper financial stewardship of public funds, compliance with relevant legislation and establishing effective arrangements for governance, propriety, and regularity that enables it to successfully deliver its objectives. The features of proper financial stewardship include: • Establishing arrangements to ensure the proper conduct of its affairs. • Preparation of annual accounts, comprising financial statements that give a true and fair view and other specified information. • Establishing arrangements for the prevention and detection of fraud, error and irregularities, and bribery and corruption. • Implementing arrangements to ensure its financial position is soundly based. • Making arrangements to secure Best Value. • Establishing an internal audit function. National and performance audit reporting 10. The Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission regularly publish national and performance audit reports. These cover a range of matters, many of which may be of interest to the Joint Committee. Details of national and performance audit reports published over the last year can be seen in Appendix 1. 26
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Audit of the annual accounts | 7 Audit of the annual accounts Main judgements All audit opinions stated that the annual accounts were free from material misstatement. There were no significant findings or key audit matters to report. One material audit adjustment of £3.4k was required to correct the financial statements and was processed by the Joint Committee. Audit opinions on the annual accounts 11. The Joint Committee’s annual accounts were approved by the Joint Committee on 24 November 2025 and certified by the appointed auditor on XX November 2025. The Independent Auditor’s Report is included in the Joint Committee’s annual accounts, and this reports that, in the appointed auditor’s opinion, these were free from material misstatement. Audit timetable 12. The unaudited annual accounts and all working papers were received by 30 June 2025 in accordance with the agreed audit timetable. Audit Fee 13. The audit fee for the 2024/25 audit was reported in the Annual Audit Plan and was set at £2,460. There have been no developments that impact on planned audit work required, therefore the audit fee reported in the Annual Audit Plan remains unchanged. Materiality 14. The concept of materiality is applied by auditors in planning and performing an audit, and in evaluating the effect of any uncorrected misstatements on the financial statements or other information reported in the annual accounts. 15. Broadly, the concept of materiality is to determine whether misstatements identified during the audit could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users of the annual report and accounts. Auditors set a monetary threshold when determining materiality, although some issues may be considered material by their nature. Therefore, materiality is ultimately a matter of the auditor’s professional judgement. 27
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Audit of the annual accounts | 8 16. Materiality levels for the Joint Committee were determined at the risk assessment phase of the audit and were reported in the Annual Audit Plan, which also reported the judgements made in determining materiality levels. These were reassessed on receipt of the unaudited annual accounts. No changes were required to the materiality levels, which are outlined in Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 2024/25 Materiality levels for Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Materiality Amount Materiality – set at 2% of gross expenditure £1,600 Performance materiality – set at 75% of materiality. As outlined in the Annual Audit Plan, this acts as a trigger point. If the aggregate of misstatements identified during the audit exceeds performance materiality, this could indicate further audit procedures are required. £1,200 Reporting threshold – set at 5% of materiality. £80 Source: Audit Scotland Significant findings and key audit matters 17. ISA (UK) requires auditors to communicate significant findings from the audit to those charged with governance, which for the Joint Committee is Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. 18. The Code of Audit Practice also requires public sector auditors to communicate key audit matters. These are the matters that, in the auditor’s professional judgement, are of most significance to the audit of the financial statements and require most attention when performing the audit. 19. In determining key audit matters, auditors consider: • Areas of higher or significant risk of material misstatement. • Areas where significant judgement is required, including accounting estimates that are subject to a high degree of estimation uncertainty. • Significant events or transactions that occurred during the year. 20. There are no significant findings or key audit matters to report. 28
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Audit of the annual accounts | 9 Qualitative aspects of accounting practices 21. ISA (UK) 260 also requires auditors to communicate their view about qualitative aspects of the Joint Committee’s accounting practices, including accounting policies and disclosures in the financial statements. Accounting policies 22. The appropriateness of accounting policies adopted by the Joint Committee was assessed as part of the audit. These were considered to be appropriate to the circumstances of the Joint Committee, and there were no significant departures from the accounting policies set out in the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code). Disclosures in the financial statements 23. The adequacy of disclosures in the financial statements was assessed as part of the audit. The quality of disclosures was adequate. Significant matters discussed with management 24. All matters identified during the audit were discussed with management and have been reported in the Annual Audit Report. Audit adjustments 25. Audit adjustments were required to the financial statements to correct misstatements that were identified from the audit. Details of all audit adjustments greater than the reporting threshold of £80 are outlined in Exhibit 2. Exhibit 2 Audit adjustments Details Financial statements lines impacted Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) Balance Sheet Audit adjustments to financial statements Dr Cr Dr Cr £000 £000 £000 £000 1. An adjustment of £3.4k was made via a late journal to reduce both short- term investments and creditors. Creditors 3.4 29
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Audit of the annual accounts | 10 Details Financial statements lines impacted Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) Balance Sheet Short term investments (3.4) Net impact on financial statements 3.4 (3.4) Source: Audit Scotland 26. Management of the Joint Committee have processed the audit adjustments to correct this misstatement which was the result of transferring the body's VAT liability to South Lanarkshire Council as lead authority. This was only a balance sheet adjustment to correct the classification of the VAT transaction and had no impact on the in-year position reported in the annual accounts. 27. One other misstatement was identified greater than the reporting threshold. This was for expenditure of £1.3k relating to 2023/24 being incorrectly recognised within 2024/25 due to a timing issue. If corrected, this adjustment would decrease expenditure by £1.3k and decrease creditors in the balance sheet by the same amount. 28. The value, nature, and circumstances of the uncorrected misstatement was considered, individually and in aggregate, by the audit team, and it was concluded that it was not material to the financial statements. As a result, it did not have any impact on the audit opinions given in the Independent Auditor’s Report. Significant risks of material misstatement identified in the Annual Audit Plan 29. Audit work has been performed in response to the significant risk of material misstatement identified in the Annual Audit Plan. The outcome of audit work performed is summarised in Exhibit 3. Exhibit 3 Significant risks of material misstatement to the financial statements Risk of material misstatement Planned audit response Outcome of audit work Fraud caused by management override of controls The audit team will: • Evaluate the design and implementation of controls Audit work performed found: • The design of controls over journal processing 30
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Audit of the annual accounts | 11 Risk of material misstatement Planned audit response Outcome of audit work Management is in a unique position to perpetrate fraud because of management’s ability to override controls that otherwise appear to be operating effectively. over journal entry processing. • Make inquiries of individuals involved in the financial reporting process about inappropriate or unusual activity relating to the processing of journal entries and other adjustments. • Test journals entries, focusing on those that are assessed as higher risk, such as those affecting revenue and expenditure recognition around the year-end. • Evaluate significant transactions outside the normal course of business. • Assess the adequacy of controls in place for identifying and disclosing related party relationships and transactions in the financial statements. were appropriate and these were implemented as intended. • No inappropriate or unusual activity relating to the processing of journal entries was identified from discussions with individuals involved in financial reporting. • No significant issues were identified from testing of journal entries. • No significant issues were identified from transactions outside the normal course of business. • The controls in place for identifying and disclosing related party relationships and transactions were adequate. Conclusion: no evidence of fraud caused by management override of controls. Source: Audit Scotland Prior year recommendations 30. There were no recommendations made in our 2023/24 annual audit report for follow up. 31
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Financial Sustainability and Best Value audit | 12 Financial Sustainability and Best Value audit Conclusion The Joint Committee has effective and appropriate arrangements in place for securing financial sustainability. The Joint Committee has effective and appropriate arrangements in place for securing Best Value. Audit approach to wider scope and Best Value Wider scope 31. The Annual Audit Plan reported the Joint Committee was considered to be a less complex body for the wider scope audit. Therefore, the wider scope audit does not cover all four wider scope areas and is instead limited to concluding on the financial sustainability of the Joint Committee. Best Value 32. Under the Code of Audit Practice, the duty on auditors to consider the arrangements an audited body has in place to secure Best Value applies to audited bodies that fall within section 106 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which the body does. 33. Consideration of the arrangements the body has in place to secure Best Value have been carried out alongside the wider scope audit. Conclusions on Financial Sustainability 34. The audit work performed on the arrangements the Joint Committee has in place for securing financial sustainability found that these were effective and appropriate. The Joint Committee reported a surplus of £15,000 in 2024/25 35. The Joint Committee secured contributions totalling £75,000 from the member authorities towards its running costs for 2024/25. As the administering authority, South Lanarkshire Council manages the Joint Committee’s running costs within the allocated budget. 36. Income and expenditure for the year are reported as £99,000 and £84,000 respectively, resulting in a £15,000 surplus on the provision of services. The 32
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Financial Sustainability and Best Value audit | 13 surplus has been added to the accumulated reserves balance brought forward from 2023/2024. As at 31 March 2025, the Joint Committee’s general fund reserve is £64,000. Through the continued support from member councils, the Joint Committee’s financial position remains sustainable 37. The Joint Committee’s sustainability is dependent on participating councils’ continued support. The Joint Committee has secured contributions totalling £71,000 from 14 member councils, five being full members, towards the running costs of the project for 2025/26. This is a reduction of £4,000 from 2024/25 after one council did not renew its participating membership. 38. However, this funding still exceeds the Joint Committee’s agreed minimum level of funding required to maintain the viability of the Project (being a commitment from at least five full member councils and contributions of £59,000 in total from all members). 39. At the Joint Committee meeting in June 2025, the 2025/26 revenue budget monitoring report noted that in addition to the member contributions of £71,000, there is budgeted training expenditure of £25,000, with this recharged to councils. This gives a total expenditure and income budget of £96,000 for 2025/26. 40. In February 2025, the 2025/26 Membership and Funding Paper was presented to the Joint Committee. Whilst the paper did not include a formal statement on reserves, it did assess the adequacy of the funding for 2025/26. The Joint Committee agreed that any unspent element of this funding would be transferred to reserves for use in future years. This reserve balance will be reviewed annually as part of the membership and funding contributions review. 41. After the withdrawal of one council from full membership in 2022/23, the Joint Committee membership was reduced to the minimum level for the continuation of the Project. However, it is evident from committee proceedings that participating councils will continue to support the operations and existence of the Joint Committee for the foreseeable future. Conclusion on Best Value 42. The audit work performed on the arrangements the Joint Committee has in place for securing Best Value found these were effective and appropriate. This judgement is evidenced by: • the Joint Committee having well established and effective governance arrangements in place, with the Best Value being a key aspect of the governance arrangements. • the arrangements the Joint Committee has in place to secure financial sustainability which help ensure the effective use of available resources. 43. The Joint Committee has responsibility for overseeing the Project. The overall objective of the Project is to establish and deliver multiple shared 33
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Financial Sustainability and Best Value audit | 14 approaches to training, learning and development between the Clyde Valley Councils (South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Councils) which will result in: • greater efficiency due to shared working rather than a Council-by- Council approach • reduced duplication of effort • the identification, development and sharing of best practice • setting, achieving and maintaining the highest standards of service delivery • modernising service delivery by improving practice and making best use of information technology • a consistent approach to training, learning and development • ensuring equality of opportunity for all Clyde Valley employees in accessing appropriate learning and development • developing centres of excellence from which to deliver models suitable for replication nationally. 44. The Joint Committee is committed to identifying further projects to capitalise on the successes delivered by the Project, however, is dependent on the continued support from member councils. 45. The Joint Committee continues to keep its membership funding structure under review and recognises the need to achieve Best Value for its Member Councils. This is particularly significant given the scale and uncertainty around the financial challenges facing all councils at present. 34
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Appendix 1 | 15 Appendix 1 Supporting national and performance audit reports Report name Date published Local government budgets 2024/25 15 May 2024 Scotland’s colleges 2024 19 September 2024 Integration Joint Boards: Finance and performance 2024 25 July 2024 The National Fraud Initiative in Scotland 2024 15 August 2024 Transformation in councils 1 October 2024 Alcohol and drug services 31 October 2024 Fiscal sustainability and reform in Scotland 21 November 2024 Public service reform in Scotland: how do we turn rhetoric into reality? 26 November 2024 NHS in Scotland 2024: Finance and performance 3 December 2024 Auditing climate change 7 January 2025 Local government in Scotland: Financial bulletin 2023/24 28 January 2025 Transparency, transformation and the sustainability of council services 28 January 2025 Sustainable transport 30 January 2025 A review of Housing Benefit overpayments 2018/19 to 2021/22: A thematic study 20 February 2025 Additional support for learning 27 February 2025 Integration Joint Boards: Finance bulletin 2023/24 6 March 2025 Integration Joint Boards finances continue to be precarious 6 March 2025 General practise: Progress since the 2018 General Medical Services contract 27 March 2025 Council Tax rises in Scotland 28 March 2025 35
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Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 2024/25 Annual Audit Report - DRAFT Audit Scotland, 4th Floor, 102 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DN Phone: 0131 625 1500 Email: info@audit.scot www.audit.scot AS.5.0 36
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Date: 24 November 2025 Report by: Treasurer to Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Subject: Audited Annual Accounts 2024/2025 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- [purpose] ♦ advise members of the outcome of the audit by the Joint Committee’s external auditor, Audit Scotland ♦ advise members of the requirement to approve the Annual Accounts for 2024/2025 for signature [1purpose] 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Joint Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- ♦ [recs] (1) that it be noted that the Annual Accounts for 2024/2025 received a clean audit certificate (section 4.2); and (2) that the audited Annual Accounts for 2024/2025, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for signature. o [1recs] 3. Background 3.1. The auditor, Audit Scotland, is required to supply an audit certificate outlining the findings of the audit process undertaken in relation to the Annual Accounts 2024/2025. 3.2. Following the publication of The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 and the Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Scotland) (Coronavirus) Amendment Regulations 2022, the members of the Board are required to meet to consider whether to approve the audited Annual Accounts for signature. The members are also required to have regard to any report made or advice provided on the Annual Accounts by the auditor. This was provided as an earlier item on this meeting’s Agenda. 4. Audited Accounts 4.1. As noted in 3.2 above, Members are required to approve the audited Annual Accounts for signature. Appendix 1 attached provides a copy of the Annual Accounts for members’ consideration. There were no significant changes to the financial position reported in June 2025, and only some minor presentational changes noted in the Balance Sheet. 5 37
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4.2. The Joint Committee’s external auditors, Audit Scotland, have completed an audit which extends across the 2024/2025 Annual Accounts and related matters. In summary, the report provides a clean audit certificate with no audit actions identified. A full copy of the report has been provided to members at this meeting. 4.3. Copies of the audited Annual Accounts are attached at Appendix 1 to this report and will be available on South Lanarkshire Council’s website. 5. Employee Implications 5.1. None 6. Financial Implications 6.1. The Accounts show that the Joint Committee’s total revenue expenditure amounted to £0.084 million in 2024/2025 and was met by income of £0.099 million. This resulted in a £0.015 million surplus. The majority of this surplus is because no expenditure was required in terms of supplies and services, which had a budget of £0.014 million. 6.2. The audited Accounts have a minor presentational change since the unaudited Accounts were reported in June 2025. This reflected a late VAT entry which was subsequently removed from the Balance Sheet (£0.003 million). This decreased both the current assets and current liabilities. Therefore, this had no effect on the General Fund balance. 6.3. After taking account of any accruals and commitments, this leaves a revenue cash balance of £0.064 million to be carried forward for use in future years. 7. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 7.1. There are no implications for climate change, sustainability, or the environment in terms of the information contained in this report. 8. Other Implications 8.1. The main risk associated with the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Revenue Budget is failure to manage the budget resulting in expenditure exceeding available funding. The risk has been assessed as low given the detailed budget management applied within the Joint Committee. The risk is managed through four weekly Budget Monitoring when any variance is analysed. In addition, the probable outturn exercise ensured early warning for corrective action to be taken where appropriate. 9. Integrated Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 9.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function, or strategy and therefore no impact assessment is required. 9.2. There is also no requirement to undertake any consultation in terms of the information contained in the report. Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer to Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 31 October 2025 38
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Previous References Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee – 9 June 2025 List of Background Papers ♦ Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Annual Accounts 2024/2025 and External Auditor’s report Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Graham Booth, Finance Manager (Strategy) Ext: 2699 (Tel: 01698 452699) E-mail: graham.booth@southlanarkshrire.gov.uk 39
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1 Appendix 1 CLYDE VALLEY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT JOINT COMMITTEE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2024/2025 40
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2 CLYDE VALLEY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT JOINT COMMITTEE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2024/2025 CONTENTS 3 Introduction by the Convener of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 4-9 Management Commentary 10-12 Annual Governance Statement 13 Movement in Reserves Statement 14 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 15 Balance Sheet 16 Cash Flow Statement 17-19 Notes to the Financial Statements 20-21 Statement of Accounting Policies 22-23 Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts 24-28 Independent Auditor’s Report 29 Glossary of Terms 30 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Members 41
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3 Introduction by the Convener of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee In last year’s Annual Report, it was noted that the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Group (CVLDG) was originally envisaged to last for a maximum of five years, yet 2024-25 saw the completion the Project’s eighteenth year in existence. It is a tribute to everyone involved that this has been sustained through the continued support of our Member Councils, particularly those individuals who have contributed to the Project’s success since the beginning. Reflecting on the broad range of activities undertaken by the Group during the year it is once again evident that commitment to the Project’s aim, objectives and ethos remains very strong across all aspects of work. As ever, the CVLDG’s programme Promoting Positive Behaviour (PPB) continues to go from strength to strength, and it is clear that the ongoing review of the programme demonstrates that nothing stands still. Maintaining the robust governance of this programme will continue to provide the solid platform required to sustain the programme in future years. The Joint Committee were particularly supportive of the work being undertaken by the e- Learning Group, in seeking ways to engage better with staff who, for a variety of reasons are hard to reach or digitally excluded when it comes to accessing online learning. As this model of delivery becomes increasingly more used, it is essential that this gap is closed, and it is to the e-Learning Group’s credit that this is at the forefront of the CVLDG’s priorities. Once again, the enthusiastic attendance and participation in online Clyde Valley working groups and meetings by officers from all member councils demonstrates the value placed on the Project in sharing best practice. This year also saw a number of staff changes and retirals from key positions within the CVLDG. Whilst presenting a challenge to maintaining continuity and sustaining project activities, I am confident that the robust nature of the existing structures and networks established over many years will provide the security needed to continue to deliver positive outcomes for many more years. To all the Elected Members on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation for your continued support. Similarly, I would like to recognise the hard work and commitment of the officers who consistently deliver the Project’s outputs and benefits year after year. Councillor Gavin Keatt Convener Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 42
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4 Management Commentary 2024/2025 Introduction The Management Commentary of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee provides details of the environment in which the Joint Committee operates and on the Joint Committee’s performance, both operationally and financially. The following commentary relates to the 2024/2025 financial year. Objectives The overall objective of the project remains to establish and deliver multiple shared approaches to training, learning and development between the Clyde Valley Councils (South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde Councils) which will result in:- Greater efficiency due to shared working rather than a Council-by-Council approach, Reduced duplication of effort, The identification, development and sharing of best practice, Setting, achieving and maintaining the highest standards of service delivery, Modernising service delivery by improving practice and making best use of information technology, A consistent approach to training, learning and development, Ensuring equality of opportunity for all Clyde Valley employees in accessing appropriate learning and development, and Developing centres of excellence from which to deliver models suitable for replication nationally. Financial Statements The purpose of the financial statements is to demonstrate stewardship of the public monies which fund the work of the Committee. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2024-2025, supported by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which ensures a set of statements is produced, each statement with a single clear objective. The cumulative underspend at the end of the year will be held by the Committee for utilisation in future years. These monies are reflected as a General Fund Reserve on the Balance Sheet. Performance Review The Clyde Valley Councils continue to monitor the benefits and outcomes they achieve through their involvement in the project on an ongoing basis. As the project’s stability is maintained and the achievements are considered each year, the collaborative approach to learning and development continues to demonstrate added value to the Member Councils. 43
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5 In the financial year 2024/2025, benefits have been realised through making cost savings as well as developing and implementing best practice in the following areas:- Ongoing contracts achieved through joint procurement, E-Learning development, improvements and content sharing, Individual Councils demonstrating new skills and techniques and sharing these with the wider Clyde Valley Group, Producing a professional publication to support a common approach to managing man- datory training for all councils, Delivering a paper which analyses the barriers to accessing training and learning op- portunities for digitally excluded and hard-to reach employees, Investigating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in learning and development, Learning and training for Social Care, Maintaining the delivery and practice of Promoting Positive Behaviour (PPB), Implementing the improvements to the course structure and content arising from the review of PPB, thereby ensuring it remains current and appropriate in all contexts, Building and maintaining internal capacity to deliver PPB, Monitoring and reviewing the licence to use PPB in Orkney Islands Council and sup- porting its wider implementation across services, and Accredited Front Line Management training (CMI). Although the established infrastructure, culture, and practice within the Clyde Valley Project continues to promote and facilitate opportunities for networking and sharing best practice, this remains a function of the individuals representing each Member Council. Once again, a significant number of key council employees who had played a pivotal role in facilitating Clyde Valley activities have retired or moved on to new responsibilities. This includes Project staff, lead representatives from Member Councils and other stakeholders in specific projects. In the latter part of the year, the Chair of the PPB Strategic Governance Group retired, and this was followed by the current Project Manager for the overall project, who retired in May 2025. The challenge for Member Councils is to maintain continuity while adapting to these personnel changes, and thereafter to replicate the individual and collective contributions made by previous employees to ensure the success and outcomes achieved to date is sustained. The established infrastructure and networks within the Group have allowed collaborative work to continue through virtual meetings and learning events, shared content for front line and redeployed services and the delivery of online learning in unprecedented numbers across the Clyde Valley Group. Attendance at Clyde Valley meetings online using Teams remains high and this model is now the recognised and preferred method. For the Group’s more distantly located Members, this has allowed attendance at every meeting. Changes to the membership of the Project Steering Group has resulted in a reduced number of meetings this year, however Steering Group members continue to be consulted on all proposals arising from project subgroups and strategic programmes. It is recognised that the re-establishment of more frequent Steering Group meetings should be a priority in the coming year. Notwithstanding the above, the project governance structure for guiding corporate initiatives and the Social Care Group managing the Health and Social Care agenda continues to work 44
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6 well in terms of providing governance and strategic direction. This approach continues to reflect the scope of influence over each dimension of the project as well as the resourcing implications of delivering the Project’s programmes. In addition, the specific governance structure for the PPB programme functions effectively through three tiers of governance. The membership categories and fee structure for membership were retained for 2024/2025. This approach provides a viable basis to contribute project running costs as well as providing a suitable fund to enable additional key Project support activities to be commissioned. There are three categories of membership made available to Councils for the project, these include full, participating and procurement membership. For the year 2024/2025 the project had five full members and ten participating members. For the second year running this number presents a risk to the Project’s sustainability as five Full Members is the stated minimum number. The income of £0.075 million met the designated minimum level to support a contribution to running costs for South Lanarkshire Council as lead authority (this amount included the external audit fees). Existing Programmes and Project Activity The primary focus has continued to be on consolidation of established Project work implemented by the Group. These reflect those activities which were initiated through the Clyde Valley Project, and which are now integrated into standard business practice for Member Councils. These include e-learning, Promoting Positive Behaviour, Social Care training and accredited management and leadership training. The e-Learning Group The CVLDG e-Learning Group is one of the longest established and most productive networks within the Clyde Valley Group. It meets regularly on a six-weekly cycle via MS Teams. Attendance at the meetings remains encouragingly high with regular attendances of 15 members. Of equal significance is the enthusiastic participation of members of the group in sub-group activities working on strategic priorities identified through the workplan. During 2024-25 these concentrated on developing a common approach to delivering mandatory training online and seeking solutions to the widespread problem of engaging with hard-to-reach groups of employees and the digitally excluded. The principal output from the mandatory training group was a practical guide document entitled “Mandatory Training – a Guide for Local Authorities”. This was delivered with the intention of providing a menu of tactics and strategies which when combined, may improve the uptake and management of mandatory training and online learning. The content was based on sharing best practice from a combination of tried and tested approaches and additional suggestions to consider. Anecdotal evidence shows that the recommendations of the publication are now being introduced in several councils through integration with strategic council-wide learning and development plans. 45
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7 In a similar vein, the second short-life sub-group working on bringing online learning to hard- to-reach and digitally excluded groups of employees fully understood the complex and multifaceted nature of this issue. And from this it was recognised that a series of incremental improvements might offer the best chance of making a real impact in the longer term. Led by Renfrewshire Council, a paper was produced for use by member councils. The paper provided practical suggestions which can make an impact in extending the reach of our councils’ online learning offerings, and in doing so, ensuring that larger numbers of employees can access learning more easily. Based on the research, the paper also highlighted the barriers to accessing online learning which exist for many groups of employees. These were grouped thematically with suggestions for steps which might help to overcome these barriers. The skills development activities provide opportunities to share the skills and knowledge that members of the Group possess. It is encouraging that as many as five different council representatives made presentations last year, with additional presentations coming from private sector providers exploring potential future development opportunities and savings. The Social Care Group The CVLDG Social Care Group drives and delivers the Project’s collaborative activities under the Social Work and Social Care agenda. As the originators of the flagship programme Promoting Positive Behaviour (PPB), the Social Care Group also assumes a crucial role in the programme’s governance and management. The PPB Programme has been used across the Clyde Valley Group for twelve years. During the past year, the Principal Trainers’ Group oversaw the implementation of the programme review recommendations. This included updating course materials to take cognisance of current policies and strategies in social care, including the implications of the Promise, Trauma Informed Practice, Stress and Distress, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and local policies on the use of physical interventions. The revised programme is now fully integrated and is being delivered in both adult and children’s services. The programme review remains a continuous and dynamic process whereby the PPB programme will be scrutinised in real time, to ensure a rapid response to strategic and policy changes as councils introduce them. In June 2024 the Social Care Group also reinstated the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) event for PPB practitioners. This event was held in Glasgow City Halls. Themes for the event were drawn from the PPB review with speakers discussing the impact of Trauma Informed Practice and the implications of the Promise in relation to the delivery of the PPB programme. The event also formally launched the revised programme of content. Based on feedback received, the event received universally positive evaluations. As a result of suggestions from the Social Care Group, a series of more frequent online CPD development forums using MS Teams will be set up. This will support the requirement for PPB practitioners to demonstrate CPD to maintain their skills and knowledge as well as fitness to practice. 46
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8 The Social Care Group devised its forward workplan of topics for collaborative development. These are:- Dementia strategy Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) supported year New arrangements for registered workers United States Convention of the Rights of Child (UNCRC) legislation (for all business – not just child care) Dealing with inconsistency and mixed messages in Care Inspection reports Health and Social Care staffing These topics along with existing programmes will form the basis of the Social Care Group’s agenda over the coming year. Financial Performance The Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement and its accompanying notes and statements summarise the costs and sources of funding in conducting the Joint Committee’s activities. For 2024/2025, the Revenue Expenditure results for the Committee are shown on page 14. This shows a net surplus position of £0.015m on the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, representing Member contributions not used for project work in- year. This net surplus will be added to the accumulated reserves balance brought forward from 2023/2024. Support expenses of £0.059m were paid to South Lanarkshire Council. The Project also incurred expenditure on Training Costs £0.023m. The training costs relate to annual City and Guilds subscriptions and accredited management training which is provided to employees across Member Councils by the Chartered Management Institute. These costs are incurred by Clyde Valley and recharged to individual Member Councils at the end of the financial year. Costs associated with other streams of Clyde Valley activity are incurred directly by individual authorities. The audit fee for 2024/2025 was £0.002m. The Committee's income is made up of contributions from Member Councils (£0.075m in 2024/2025). There is a General Fund Balance comprising accumulated underspends since the inception of the Project in 2007/2008. The surplus of £0.015m for 2024/2025, will be added to this General Fund balance and the remaining monies will be used for future progress on the project. This reflects the practical arrangement that exists between the Joint Committee and South Lanarkshire Council where the Council’s Loans Fund lends or borrows according to the required cash flow and activities of the Committee. The Statement of Accounting Policies has been included which details the policies implemented when compiling and presenting the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Account, Balance Sheet and related statements. The accounting policies are those recommended by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom, as supported by the International Financial Reporting Standards. 47
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9 The Statement of Responsibilities advises that the Head of Finance (Strategy) for South Lanarkshire Council is the designated Treasurer to the Committee and is responsible for the proper administration of the Committee's financial affairs. Full details of the Treasurer's responsibilities are included in the statement. Outlook Maintaining membership and commitment to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Group is an ongoing challenge, particularly with the pressure on diminishing resources for Member councils. As the number of Full Membership Councils remains at the threshold minimum level of five (in terms of paragraph 12.2 of the Minute of Agreement). This remains a risk to the project’s sustainability for next year. Despite this, the future of the Group remains positive due to the continued success and positive outcomes arising from existing programmes and developments. The Clyde Valley Councils have continued to demonstrate great resilience and an appetite for collaboration that bodes well for the future. Attendances at online meetings and development groups during the past year was once again consistently high and the workload on project activities is shared out well across member councils Priorities will remain the delivery of online learning to all councils and ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support this effectively. Plans are in place to maintain continuity at the end of the current procurement contract for this service, ensuring the benefits realised to date from our shared approach continues. Existing project work will continue to be managed prudently and as the changes precipitated by the PPB review come to fruition, the programme will remain one of the Joint Committee’s flagship programmes. The Joint Committee will continue to seek out opportunities to deliver innovation in learning and development through collaborative working and maintain the continuity and quality of our online products. The membership funding structure will continue to be monitored and evaluated in terms of achieving best value for the Member Councils. Further projects and extended workplans will be identified and delivered to maximise the benefits achieved from the Project fund. For this to happen the goodwill, time and resources allocated to the work by Members remains central to the success of the Project. Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer – Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Councillor Gavin Keatt Convener – Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 48
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10 Annual Governance Statement The Joint Committee is responsible for establishing effective governance arrangements for its activities to ensure the effective operation of its functions. This includes ensuring proper systems are in place for managing risk and maintaining internal controls. While the Joint Committee’s governance arrangements have not been consolidated in a formal Code of Corporate Governance, the Annual Governance Statement has been prepared within the context of the Joint Committee’s governance framework and meets legislative requirements to include the Annual Governance Statement within the Annual Accounts. Scope of Responsibility In delivering its aims and objectives, the Joint Committee is accountable for ensuring that its operations are conducted in compliance with the law and established standards, while safeguarding public funds, ensuring proper accountability, and using resources economically, efficiently, and effectively. Additionally, the Joint Committee is legally obligated to make arrangements to secure best value as outlined in the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. To fulfil this duty, the Elected Members and senior officers of the Joint Committee are responsible for implementing appropriate arrangements for its operations and enabling the effective execution of its functions, including arrangements for the management of risk. Governance Framework The Joint Committee maintains an internal control system aimed at managing risk to an acceptable level. However, internal controls cannot completely eliminate the risk of failing to meet policies, goals, and objectives, so they can only offer reasonable assurance, not absolute assurance of effectiveness. The internal control system is part of a continuous process designed to identify and prioritise risks that could affect the achievement of the Joint Committee’s policies, goals, and objectives, assess the likelihood of these risks occurring, and evaluate their potential impact if they do. The main features of our governance arrangements are:- All Full Member Councils continue to be represented on the Joint Committee. The scheme of delegation, terms of reference, financial regulations and stakeholder roles and responsibilities defined in 2007/2008 remain in place and have been reviewed for relevance and to determine if they are still appropriate. The standing orders were most recently updated and approved in 2023. Meetings of the Joint Committee are held three times a year chaired by the Convener of the Joint Committee. For 2024/2025, this was Councillor Lynsey Hamilton (South Lanarkshire). Scheme of Delegation allows for Clyde Valley Project Steering Group to manage, direct and prioritise the work programme. The previous Minute of Agreement approved by each of the participating Councils, reflecting the changes in membership and fee structure for 2019/2020 onwards still stands. Effective risk management arrangements are embedded within the Member Councils. 49
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11 The system of internal controls is based on a framework of regular management information, financial regulations, administrative procedures, management and supervision and a system of delegation and accountability. These arrangements follow the systems of financial management in place within the lead authority, South Lanarkshire Council and are subject to the relevant controls in place which are reviewed by the Internal/External Audit through a programme of audit work. The overall audit opinion for the Joint Committee is informed by the assurances obtained from systems audits carried out by Internal Audit on the Council’s shared systems. The system includes:- Centralised invoicing and re-charging administered through South Lanarkshire Council. Financial Management arrangements through South Lanarkshire Council’s Oracle Fusion system supported by Financial Regulations. Risks are identified and managed by the Project Manager on an ongoing basis. Preparation of financial reports that compare actual expenditure and income against budgets. Employees adhere to the range of policies including the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy Statement and Strategy, Fraud Response Plan, Whistleblowing for Third Parties and Confidential Reporting procedures operated by South Lanarkshire Council. These continue to be updated to reflect best practice and support a culture of ethical behaviour amongst employees and Councillors. The Joint Committee benefits from South Lanarkshire Council’s implementation of Oracle Fusion in 2024/2025. This is a cloud-based HR and Finance system designed to improve processes, automation, and management information. These enhancements support ongoing service efficiencies and are subject to the Council’s governance and financial controls. Statement on the Role of the Chief Financial Officer CIPFA published the statement on the role of the Chief Financial Officer in 2010 and under the Code, the Joint Committee is required to state whether it complies with the statement, and if not, to explain how their governance arrangements deliver the same impact. The Joint Committee’s financial management arrangements comply with the principles set out in CIPFA’s statement on the Role of the Chief Financial Officer. Financial Resilience A key goal of the CIPFA FM Code is to improve the financial resilience of organisations by embedding enhanced standards of financial management. This includes a statement on the adequacy of reserves. In February 2025, the 2025/2026 Membership and Funding paper was presented to the Joint Committee and although the paper did not include a formal statement on the adequacy of reserves, it did evaluate the adequacy of funding for the upcoming year (2025/2026) and concluded that the current and next year’s funding would be sufficient to support the Project as a going concern, with reserves available to assist with other Project work. This assessment was made despite the withdrawal of Perth & Kinross Council (a participating member) from the Joint Committee for 2025/2026. 50
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12 Continuous Improvement As the work of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee develops, I am aware of our governance duties and will continue my commitment to transparency and openness in our governance arrangements. No issues have been identified during 2024/2025 and I will continue to review these as appropriate during 2025/2026. Assurance The system of internal control can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that assets are safeguarded, that transactions are properly recorded, and that material errors or irregularities are either prevented or would be detected within a timely period. It is my view that in the eighteenth year of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee (financial year 2024/2025), reasonable assurance can be placed on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Committee’s framework of governance, risk management and control arrangements. Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer - Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Councillor Gavin Keatt Convener - Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 51
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13 Movement in Reserves Statement The Movement in Reserves Statement shows the movement in the year on the different reserves held by the Joint Committee, analysed into useable reserves and other reserves. This gives a summary of the changes that have taken place in the funding section of the Balance Sheet over the financial year. 2024/2025 General Fund Balance Total Usable Reserves Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves £000 £000 £000 £000 Balance at 31 March 2024 49 49 - 49 Movement in Reserves during 2024/2025 Surplus on the provision of services 15 15 - 15 Other comprehensive income and expenditure - - - - Total comprehensive income and expenditure 15 15 - 15 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis - - - - Net increase before transfers to / from other statutory reserves - - - - Transfers to / from other statutory reserves - - - - Increase / (Decrease) in 2024/2025 15 15 - 15 Balance as at 31 March 2025 64 64 - 64 2023/2024 General Fund Balance Total Usable Reserves Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves £000 £000 £000 £000 Balance at 31 March 2023 33 33 - 33 Movement in Reserves during 2023/2024 Surplus on the provision of services 16 16 - 16 Other comprehensive income and expenditure - - - - Total comprehensive income and expenditure 16 16 - 16 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis - - - - Net increase before transfers to / from other statutory reserves - - - - Transfers to / from other statutory reserves - - - - Increase / (Decrease) in 2023/2024 16 16 - 16 Balance as at 31 March 2024 49 49 - 49 52
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14 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement gives a summary of resources generated and consumed by the Joint Committee in the year. 2023/2024 £000 2024/2025 £000 Notes 59 Support Expenses paid to South Lanarkshire Council 59 21 Training Costs for Member Councils 23 2 Payments to Other Bodies 2 1 82 Total Expenditure 84 (98) Income (99) (16) (Surplus) / Deficit on Provision of Service (15) (16) Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure (15) 53
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15 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 The Balance Sheet summarises the assets and liabilities of the Joint Committee at the Balance Sheet date. 31 March 2024 £000 31 March 2025 £000 Notes Current Assets 91 Short Term Investments 102 2 91 Total Current Assets 102 Current Liabilities (42) Creditors (38) 3 49 Net Current Assets 64 Represented By: 49 General Fund Balance 64 49 64 The notes on pages 17-19 form part of the financial statements. The unaudited accounts were issued by the Board on 9 June 2025, and the audited accounts were authorised for issue on 24 November 2025 on behalf of the Board by: Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer – Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 54
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16 Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 March 2025 The Cash Flow Statement shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents held by the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee during the reporting year. The statement shows how the Joint Committee generates and uses cash and cash equivalents by classifying cash flows as operating and investing activities. 2023/2024 £000 2024/2025 £000 (16) Net (surplus) on the provision of services (15) (6) Adjust net surplus or deficit on the provision of services for non- cash movements 4 (22) Net cash flows from Operating Activities (11) 22 Investing Activities (note below) 11 0 Net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents 0 0 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting year 0 0 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting year 0 Cash Flow Statement Note - Non Cash Movements 2023/2024 £000 Description 2024/2025 £000 0 Movement in Debtors 0 (6) Movement in Creditors 4 (6) 4 Cash Flow Statement Note – Investing Activities 2023/2024 £000 2024/2025 £000 22 Purchase or (Sale) of short-term and long-term investments 11 22 Net cash flows generated from/(used in) investing activities 11 55
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17 Notes to the Accounts 1 Auditors’ Remuneration The auditors’ remuneration is included in the Payments to Other Bodies’ expenditure. 2024/2025 £000 2023/2024 £000 Auditors’ Remuneration: Fees payable to Audit Scotland with regard to external audit services carried out by the appointed auditors 2 2 2 2 In 2024/2025, Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee has incurred fees of £2,460 for the statutory audit of the financial statements by Audit Scotland. The comparable figure for 2023/2024 was £2,410. Fees payable in respect of other services provided by the appointed auditor were £nil. (2023/2024: £nil) 2 Financial Instruments The following category of financial instrument is carried in the balance sheet: 31 March 2025 £000 31 March 2025 £000 31 March 2025 £000 31 March 2024 £000 31 March 2024 £000 31 March 2024 £000 Investments Long Term Current Total Long Term Current Total Loans and Receivables 0 102 102 0 91 91 Total Investments 0 102 102 0 91 91 3 Creditors The Creditors figure is analysed as follows: 2024/2025 £000 2023/2024 £000 Audit fee 3 2 Training Invoices 0 3 Prepaid Contributions from Local Authorities 33 37 Other Creditors 2 0 38 42 56
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18 4 Related Parties The Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee is required to disclose material transactions with related parties – bodies or individuals that have the potential to control or influence the Joint Committee. Disclosure of these transactions allows readers to assess the extent to which the Joint Committee might have been constrained in its ability to operate independently or might have secured the ability to limit another party’s ability to bargain freely with the Joint Committee. All transactions with Councils were entered into under the terms of the Joint Committee and, where appropriate, reported through the Joint Committee. During the year the Joint Committee transacted with the following Councils: Local Authorities Receipts 2024/2025 £000 Payments 2024/2025 £000 Receipts 2023/2024 £000 Payments 2023/2024 £000 South Lanarkshire 12 59 13 59 North Lanarkshire 12 0 11 0 Glasgow City 14 0 12 0 East Renfrewshire 7 0 7 0 Inverclyde 7 0 6 0 Total 52 59 49 59 At the year end the Joint Committee held Short Term Investments and creditor balances with the Local Authorities detailed below: Local Authorities Short Term Investment Balances 2024/2025 £000 Creditors Balances 2024/2025 £000 Short Term Investment Balances 2023/2024 £000 Creditors Balances 2023/2024 £000 South Lanarkshire 102 64 91 50 North Lanarkshire 0 10 0 10 Total 102 74 91 60 5 Financing and Management of Liquid Resources Liquid Resources are held by South Lanarkshire Council as lead authority and are available to Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee as required 57
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19 6 Remuneration Report The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014 require local authorities in Scotland to prepare a Remuneration Report as part of the Financial Statements. In accordance with the Regulations, and the relevant definition of individuals that are to be disclosed in this report, Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee has no employees that require to be disclosed. Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee makes no payment of salary, allowances or pension contributions to any of the Councillors who are appointed as Members of the Joint Committee. 7 Date of Signing of the Accounts The audited accounts were authorised for issue on 24 November 2025 by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. 8 Post Balance Sheet Events No events occurred between 1 April 2025 and 24 November 2025 that would have an impact on the 2024/2025 financial statements. The later date is the date on which the audited accounts were authorised for issue by the Treasurer to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. 9 Going Concern The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis on the basis that funding from Local Authorities has been received for 2025/2026. 58
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20 Statement of Accounting Policies (a) General The general policies adopted in compiling and presenting the financial statements are those required by the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, section 12 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, requires they be prepared in accordance with proper accounting practices. These practices primarily comprise Code of Practice on Local Authority in the United Kingdom 2023/2024, issued jointly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Local Authority (Scotland) Accounts Advisory Committee (LASAAC), supported by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). There are no significant departures from those recommendations. The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and accounting policies have been applied consistently. (b) Accruals basis The Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is compiled on an accrual’s basis. Income and expenditure activities are accounted for in the year which they take place, not simply when payments are made or received. Where services have been provided but the income not received by end 31 March 2025 or services have been received but not paid for by end 31 March 2025, then the income and expenditure account has been amended to reflect the outstanding amounts and a debtor or creditor for the relevant amount is recorded in the balance sheet. (c) Debtors and Creditors All specific and material sums payable to and paid by the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee have been brought into account. (d) Allocation of Support Expenses The allocation of Support Expenses is the cost of those South Lanarkshire employees who provide a direct service to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. The individual support department is Personnel Services where employees are directly involved in the operations of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. The recharge is made on a consistent basis. (e) Borrowing Facilities The Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee is a separate legal entity and has South Lanarkshire Council as its lead authority. The loans’ fund of South Lanarkshire Council acts as banker to the Joint Committee and consequently lends or borrows according to the required cash flow and activities of the Joint Committee. (f) Financial Instruments For investments due within 12 months, prevailing benchmark rates have been used to provide the fair value. Where an instrument has a maturity of less than 12 months the fair value is taken to be the principal outstanding. Creditors due within 12 months are not classed as a financial instrument. 59
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21 (g) Reserve – General Fund Balance The Joint Committee Members agreed that any surplus on the Income and Expenditure Account at the end of the financial year will be carried forward and held in a General Fund Reserve for use on Clyde Valley projects in future financial years. The value of the funding being carried forward will be reviewed on an annual basis. 60
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22 Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts The Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s responsibilities: The Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee is required to:- make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to secure that one of its officers has the responsibility for the administration of those affairs. For the Joint Committee, that officer is the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources designated as Treasurer of the Joint Committee; manage its affairs to secure economic, efficient and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets; ensure the Annual Accounts are prepared in accordance with legislation (The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014), in accordance with proper accounting practices (section 12 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003); and approve the Annual Accounts for signature. I confirm that these accounts were issued by the Board at the Joint Committee’s meeting on 9 June 2025 and approved on 24 November 2025. Signed on behalf of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Councillor Gavin Keatt Convenor – Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee The Treasurer’s responsibilities: The Treasurer is responsible for the preparation of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s Annual Accounts in accordance with proper practices set out in the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code). In preparing the Annual Accounts, the Treasurer has:- selected suitable accounting policies and then applied them consistently; made judgements and estimates that were reasonable and prudent; complied with the local authority Code. The Treasurer has also:- kept proper accounting records which were up to date; taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. I certify that the Annual Accounts give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Joint Committee at 31 March 2025 and its income and expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2025. 61
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23 Lorraine O’Hagan Treasurer – Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee 62
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24 Independent auditor’s report to the members of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee and the Accounts Commission Reporting on the audit of the financial statements Opinion on financial statements I certify that I have audited the financial statements in the annual accounts of Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee for the year ended 31 March 2025 under Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The financial statements comprise the Movement in Reserves Statement, Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2024/25 (the 2024/25 Code). In my opinion the accompanying financial statements:- give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee as at 31 March 2025 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the 2024/25 Code; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Basis for opinion I conducted my audit in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)), as required by the Code of Audit Practice approved by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my report. I was appointed by the Accounts Commission on 16 March 2023. My period of appointment is five years, covering 2022/23 to 2026/27. I am independent of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the UK including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. Non-audit services prohibited by the Ethical Standard were not provided to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. 63
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25 Conclusions relating to going concern basis of accounting I have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. These conclusions are not intended to, nor do they, provide assurance on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s current or future financial sustainability. However, I report on the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s arrangements for financial sustainability in a separate Annual Audit Report available from the Audit Scotland website. Risks of material misstatement I report in my Annual Audit Report the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement that I identified and my judgements thereon. Responsibilities of the Treasurer and Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee for the financial statements As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities, the Treasurer is responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with the financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as the Treasurer determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Treasurer is responsible for assessing the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an intention to discontinue the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s operations. The Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 64
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26 Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. I design procedures in line with my responsibilities outlined above to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Procedures include:- using my understanding of the local government sector to identify that the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 are significant in the context of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee; inquiring of the Treasurer as to other laws or regulations that may be expected to have a fundamental effect on the operations of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee; inquiring of the Treasurer concerning the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework; discussions among my audit team on the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur; and considering whether the audit team collectively has the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is affected by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s controls, and the nature, timing and ex- tent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error as fraud may involve collusion, intentional omissions, misrepresenta- tions, or the override of internal control. The capability of the audit to detect fraud and other irregularities depends on factors such as the skilfulness of the perpetrator, the frequency and extent of manipulation, the degree of collusion involved, the relative size of individual amounts manipulated, and the seniority of those individuals involved. A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibili- ties. This description forms part of my auditor’s report. Reporting on other requirements Other information The Treasurer is responsible for the other information in the annual accounts. The other information comprises the Management Commentary, Annual Governance Statement and Statement of Responsibilities. My responsibility is to read all the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or my knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact. I have nothing to report in this regard. 65
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27 My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon except on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement to the extent explicitly stated in the following opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission. Opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:- the information given in the Management Commentary for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance issued under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003; and the information given in the Annual Governance Statement for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework (2016). Matters on which I am required to report by exception I am required by the Accounts Commission to report to you if, in my opinion:- adequate accounting records have not been kept; or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or I have not received all the information and explanations I require for my audit. I have nothing to report in respect of these matters. Conclusions on wider scope responsibilities In addition to my responsibilities for the annual accounts, my conclusions on the wider scope responsibilities specified in the Code of Audit Practice, including those in respect of Best Value, are set out in my Annual Audit Report. Use of my report This report is made solely to the parties to whom it is addressed in accordance with Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and for no other purpose. In accordance with paragraph 108 of the Code of Audit Practice, I do not undertake to have responsibilities to members or officers, in their individual capacities, or to third parties. 66
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28 Pauline Murray CPFA Audit Scotland 4th Floor 102 West Port Edinburgh EH3 9DN 67
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29 Glossary of Terms Much of the terminology used in this Report is intended to be self-explanatory, however, the following additional definition and interpretation of terms used may be helpful: 1. Borrowing Facilities and Temporary Interest on Revenue Balances The loans fund of South Lanarkshire Council lends or borrows according to the cash flow of the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee. This temporary interest credited / debited to the Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee’s Income and Expenditure Account reflects the interest earned or charged to the Committee for funds lent to or borrowed from the loans fund of South Lanarkshire Council. 68
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30 Clyde Valley Learning and Development Joint Committee Members (2024/2025) Council Member East Renfrewshire Council Councillor Andrew Anderson Glasgow City Council Councillor Anne McTaggart Inverclyde Council Councillor Francesca Brennan (Vice Convener) North Lanarkshire Council Councillor Michael McBride South Lanarkshire Council Councillor Lynsey Hamilton (Convener) Councillor Gavin Keatt (Temporary Convener) 69
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