Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update providing on progress in delivering Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the Council’s external auditors.

The Committee received a verbal update from Asad Khan (External Auditors – Grant Thornton) on the progress of delivering Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the Council’s external auditors.

In presenting the report the Committee noted:

·             The ongoing progress in deliver of the audit on the Council’s Statement of Accounts including the risk areas identified in relation to land and building valuations, council dwelling revaluations, pension fund liability, and overall management controls.

·             Daily and bi-weekly meetings were occurring consistently, and it was also reported hot review had been scheduled for early August.

In response to the update provided the Committee highlighted comments on a number of issues, with the following responses provided:

·             Noting the work programme for the September Committee meeting, members asked for assurance there would be sufficient time to fully review the statement of accounts and audit findings.  The Chair advised he would discuss the structure of the September meeting with the Vice-Chair and officers to ensure sufficient consideration could be given to all agenda items.

·             Members asked whether there were any issues the auditors needed to flag at this stage. Minesh Patel responded that there was nothing of note, but officers were conscious that the hot review stage could add new elements resulting in additional queries, that could cause delays. Officers would ensure the Committee was kept up to date with any arising issues.

As no further issues were raised the Committee RESOLVED to note the progress update provided by External Audit at the meeting.

The paper provides the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee with a report on progress in delivering Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the Council’s external auditors.

Sophia Brown (Key Audit Partner, Grant Thornton) introduced a report updating the Committee on the progress being made by Grant Thornton in delivering their responsibilities as the Council’s external auditor.

In presenting the report the Committee noted:

·             The progress with completion of the initial planning for the 2023-24 audit of the Council’s financial statements with the detailed audit plan having been issued in February 2024 and no subsequent additional risks having been identified as part of the planning and risk assessment procedures undertaken in finalising the audit plan.  Work was now due to commence on the audit in the week commencing 24 June 2024 with the aim to provide the opinion on the Statement of Accounts by 20 September 2024 to coincide with the deadline for publication of the audited accounts.

·             Value for Money planning work was due to commence in late June with the outcome to be included as part of the final External Audit Annual Report.

·             The outline and schedule of audit deliverables planned for 2023-24, with work on the grants element already in progress.

·             The sector updates provided in relation to emerging national issues and developments which included:

o      progress and plans for the introduction of a series of statutory audit backstops and related updates to the National Code of Audit Practice along with progress in sign-off of delayed local authority audits.  Members were pleased to note that Brent’s audited Statement of Accounts remained up to date with all previous accounts having achieved sign-off and the Committee assured that the backstop arrangements were not anticipated to impact on the Auditor’s capacity to achieve sign off for the 2023-24 Statement of Accounts;

o      The production of a “Must Know” guide by the Local Government Association for local authorities working with new external auditors along with a guide for members to consider in relation to the ongoing effectiveness of Audit Committees and their relationship with the external auditors, which the Chair encouraged all members to consider as part of the Audit & Standard Advisory Committees ongoing review of its own effectiveness.  As part of this process members welcomed the intention to include a member briefing session as part of the Committee’s Development Programme on the role of External Audit;

o      An update on the LGA Improvement and Assurance Framework;

o      Details of a report “The State of the Locals” published by the Local Government Information Unit on public trust in government, including at a local level along with details on additional guidance provided in relation to the preparation of Local Authority productivity plans; publication of a report by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee on the funding and sustainability of the social housing sector along with supporting data; publication of an analysis relating to local regeneration policy and details on the introduction of new and simpler recycling rules.

In response to a query raised on the scope of external audit activity relating to revenue generating opportunities members were advised whilst not specifically included as core audit activity there may  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13