The verb must agree with the number (singular/plural) of the subject.
Singular subjects (He, She, It, The list) take V+s/es. Plural subjects (They, We, The students) take the base verb.
The list of items are on the desk.
The list of items IS on the desk.
Do not be fooled by prepositional phrases in the middle (like 'of items'). Look for the main noun at the beginning.