Council’s joint venture 2019 accounts are late

Annual accounts for the Heart of Wales Property Service will be delayed because of the Coronavirus outbreak, the joint venture has confirmed.

Accounts for the operation - a joint venture between Powys County Council and Kier – should be filed annually with Companies House.

A HOWPS spokesperson said: “The Heart of Wales Property Services (HOWPS) is a joint venture between Kier and Powys County Council and is required to file annual accounts. At the onset of COVID-19, it had not filed its accounts for the year ended June 30, 2019 (the 2019 accounts).

“As a result of COVID-19, the Government passed the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020, which has granted extensions of time for UK businesses to file their accounts.

“HOWPS was granted an extension by Companies House to have filed the 2019 accounts by June 30, 2020. However, again, because of COVID-19, it has not been possible for the auditors, PwC, to complete the audit. HOWPS will be working with PwC to be able to file the 2019 accounts as soon as practicably possible.

“The position is no reflection of the service or the JV, and it is the same situation for companies across the UK, but as an open and transparent JV that is committed to serving the residents of Powys, we wanted to share this with you.

“The JV has been proactive in its response to COVID-19, operating efficiently and safely to provide key services for residents and remains committed to delivering a broad range of maintenance works and infrastructure for the Powys community.”

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Heart of Wales Property Services (HOWPS), has been delivering critical services to residents of Powys and has increased the number of calls handled.

It has completed over 1,000 emergency repair works since the start of March, an increase of 10% on the same time last year, and over 1,700 routine repairs. It has also provided 43 properties across Powys as part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to provide temporary housing for homeless people during COVID-19.

The JV has also supported the NHS with eight properties for staff to stay in when it was not possible for them to go home, and has worked with the education authorities to reopen safely and on time as well as providing childcare hubs in leisure centres.