Issue - meetings

The External Auditor submitted a report on the Audit Plan which set out how the External Auditors intend to carry out their responsibilities, the  proposed audit approach and scope for the 2018/19 audit against accountings requirements and legislation to ensure that the audit was aligned with the Council’s service expectations.

The External Auditor provided a summary of the report in terms of:

·       An overview of the 2018/19 audit strategy;

·       Audit risks;

·       Value for money risks;

·       Audit Materiality;

·       Scope of the audit;

·       Audit Team and timeline;

·       Independence and appendices.

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property referred to the shortened time period to produce the accounts.  The External Auditor explained how this would impact on EY in terms of then auditing the accounts and asked that consideration be given to changing the date of the Performance Audit and Governance Committee on 16 July 2019 to a later date (two weeks later, to 31 July 2019), so that Members could consider the report.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property undertook to discuss this further with Democratic Services.

In response to a query from the Chairman, the External Auditor explained the analytical tools used to undertake the audit process.

Members received the report.

RESOLVED - that the report be received.