Issue - meetings

Report number CFM392 of the Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee.        (Enclosure)

Decision:

That the Council appoints External Audit through a national sector-led body, the Public Sector Audit Appointments.

The Vice-Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee informed Councillors that report number CFM392 summarised changes to the arrangements for appointing external auditors following the closure of the Audit Commission and the end of transitional arrangements at the end of the 2017/18 audits. At its meeting on 23 September 2016, the Governance and Audit Committee had considered the three options summarised in the report and recommended the appointment of external audit through Public Sector Audit Appointments, which he proposed and was seconded.

On being put to the vote, the proposition was carried.

Report number CFM385 of the Corporate Finance Manager.      (Enclosure)

Decision:

The Governance and Audit Committee recommends to Council the appointment of external Audit through a national sector led body the Public Sector Audit Appointments

Following a report at the Committee’s last meeting on 28 July 2016, members were asked to make a recommendation to full Council about the procurement arrangements for External Audit following the closure of the Audit Commission and the end of transitional arrangements at the conclusion of 2017/18 audits.

Report number CFM385, which was presented by the Financial Accountant Team Leader, summarised three different ways through which external audit services could be procured. At its meeting in July, the Committee had indicated it had a preference for opting in to a sector-led body. Members reiterated that this was their preferred option; it was proposed, seconded and agreed that this approach should be recommended to full Council.