Issue - meetings

This report presents the External Audit Plan for 2025/26.

The Committee considered the External Audit Plan for 2025/26.

The following matters were considered:

a)    Governance Framework: In relation to appendix 2 of the report a Member questioned how the committee could be sure of the robust governance framework as described under law and governance in the appendix.  He cited several examples of areas of concern that Members had discussed recently including transparency and the constitution not being in line with the framework documents. The Chair noted the Member’s comments and stated that areas of concern would come back to this committee.

b)    Assets Valuation: There was a Member query about property and assets valuation and the risk that if something was amiss would there be time to correct it before it was handed over to the new unitary. The Chief Accountant gave a detailed description of the annual valuation process with was done by external experts and tested by external auditors.  This was a lengthy and time-consuming process that gave as much assurance as possible and the new unitary would have to undertake the same exercises again.

c)    Lease Valuations: A Member queried why work around lease valuations happened last year but not needed this year. The Chief Accountant explained that this was a new standard for last year in which new processes were put in place and the external auditor conduction strenuous testing.  Going forward there would still be testing but not so rigorous.

d)    Deputy S151 Officer: In response to a Member query, it was reported that the Chief Accountant was also the Deputy S151 Officer.  A Member queried whether that should be listed on the organisation chart to which the Chair requested that officers look into that suggestion.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Receive and note the External Audit Plan for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 and acknowledge that the S151 Officer is satisfied with the details of the scope of the audit.

(1)       Receive and note the enquiries of management document as set out in Appendix 2.