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AUDIT, GOVERNANCE AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE |
18 March 2019 |
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External Audit Progress Report March 2019 |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Audit, Governance and Standards Committee |
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Lead Head of Service/Lead Director |
Mark Green, Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Chris Hartgrove, Interim Head of Finance |
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Classification |
Public |
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Wards affected |
All |
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Executive Summary |
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The Committee is invited to consider the report of the external auditor, which provides an update on progress with the 2018/19 audit and offers a summary of emerging national issues and developments of relevance to the local government sector.
Representatives of Grant Thornton will be in attendance at the meeting to present their report and respond to questions.
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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That the External Audit Progress Report attached at Appendix A be noted.
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Audit, Governance and Standards Committee |
18 March 2019 |
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External Audit Progress Report March 2019 |
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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.1 External audit services to the Council are provided by Grant Thornton, following their appointment by Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA) for the period from 2018/19 to 2022/23.
1.2 The report attached at Appendix A provides an update on progress with the 2018/19 audit and informs committee members of a number of relevant emerging issues and developments.
2. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
2.1 It is recommended that the committee consider and note this report. The committee could choose not to consider this report. However, this option is not recommended, as the report is intended to assist the committee in discharging its responsibilities in relation to external audit and governance.
3. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 It is recommended that the committee notes the report. The report details the external auditor’s plan for ensuring the delivery of the audit opinion and value for money conclusion by the statutory deadline and notes the significant risks identified, and the anticipated audit fee. It is considered appropriate for the committee to receive this information at this time.
4. RISK
4.1 This report supports the committee in the delivery of its governance responsibilities. It also helps to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with the statutory timetable for the production and audit of the annual accounts through timely communication of any potential issues.
5. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
5.1 No consultation has been undertaken in relation to this matter.
6. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
6.1 Next steps are outlined within Appendix A.
7. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
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Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
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Impact on Corporate Priorities |
We do not expect the recommendations will by themselves materially affect achievement of corporate priorities. However, production of an annual Statement of Accounts which is free from material or significant error is a key element of demonstrating accountability and value for money. It is therefore important that the Statement of Accounts meets this requirement. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Risk Management |
See section 4. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Financial |
There are no direct financial implications arising from the report, although the opinion on the financial statements and value for money conclusion are one mechanism through which the council demonstrates financial accountability. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Staffing |
None identified. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Legal |
The audit of the Council’s Statement of Accounts is a statutory obligation. There are no specific legal implications arising from this report. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Privacy and Data Protection |
None identified. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Equalities |
None identified. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Public Health |
None identified. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Crime and Disorder |
None identified. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
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Procurement |
None identified. |
Director of Finance and Business Improvement |
8. REPORT APPENDICES
The following document is to be published with this report and forms part of the report:
· Appendix A: External Auditor’s Progress Report, March 2019
9. BACKGROUND PAPERS
None.