Issue - meetings

To receive a report from Grant Thornton providing an update on progress in delivering their responsibilities as the council’s external auditors.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, a report * from Grant Thornton providing it with an update on progress in delivering their responsibilities as the Council’s external auditors.

The following was highlighted within the report:

·         Housing Benefit Certification work was on-going and was being aided by the Internal Audit team.

·         The 2018/19 audit was now fully complete with the Annual Audit Letter being the last ‘piece of the puzzle’.

·         Planning in relation to the 2019/20 audit would commence before Christmas. The audit plan would be brought to the committee at its meeting in January.

·         The Code of Audit Practice now needed to be reviewed and the National Audit Office were consulting on potential changes to the Code in two stages. Stage one involved engagement with key stakeholders and public consultation on the issues that were considered to be relevant to the development of the Code. Stage two of the consultation involved consulting on the draft text of the new Code. The most significant changes were in relation to the Value for Money arrangements. An update would be provided once more was known.

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.