The Authority 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.  In this Authority that officer is the Director of Resources,

- manage its affairs to secure economic, efficient and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets,

- approve the statement of accounts.

These accounts were approved at a meeting of the Constitution Committee on 29^th June 2007.

The Director of Resources is responsible for the preparation of the Authority’s Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper accounting practices as set out in the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (‘the Code of Practice’).

In preparing this Statement of Accounts, the Director of Resources has:

- selected suitable accounting policies and then applied them consistently,

- made judgements and estimates that were reasonable and prudent,

- complied with the Code of Practice,

- kept proper accounting records which were up to date,

- taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularity.

I certify that the Statement of Accounts has been prepared in accordance with proper practices and presents fairly the financial position of the County Council and its income and expenditure for the year ended 31^st March 2007.

DATE:  29th June 2007