Decision details

Robin Baker, Director, Grant Thornton and Angela Pieri, Senior Manager, Public Sector Audit, Grant Thornton presented the External Audit Progress Report and Sector Update 2019/20 as of October 2019.

The following key areas were highlighted from the report:

·  The work to certify the teachers' pension return was underway and should be completed this week, ahead of deadline.

·  The Government had announced that a review of local government audit and accounts arrangements would be undertaken in response to concerns expressed regarding late filing and increased detail in reports over the last decade. Recommendations from the review to Government were expected early in 2020 and the committee would be kept updated with regard to any changes proposed.

·  The National Audit Office were currently consulting on the proposed new Code of Audit Practice for April 2020, which would impact on audits for 2020/21. The key changes would be around the value for money audit, which may require a longer narrative regarding financial sustainability rather than the current requirement for a yes/no conclusion. In addition, it was proposed to move the submission date for the value for money audit away from that of the annual accounts in order to spread the burden of work over the year.

Resolved: That the External Audit Progress Report and Sector Update 2019/20, as presented, be noted.