Report by Director of Finance / KPMG External Auditors

Further to Minute 20 of Audit & Governance Committee on 20 January 2026, the Director of Finance submitted a covering report on behalf of the Council’s External Auditor, KPMG, which had attached their Annual Report, providing a summary of the findings and key issues arising from the 2024/25 audit. 

The report had been prepared in line with the requirements set out in the Code of Audit Practice by the National Audit Office and set out a summary of KPMG’s conclusions in respect of their audit responsibilities.  In relation to the Council’s 2024/25 Accounts, KPMG would issue a disclaimed opinionas part of the nationally agreed process to bring audit opinions back up to date. The significant financial statement audit risks identified were valuation of land and buildings, valuation of investment property, management override of controls and valuation of post-retirement benefit obligations, details of which were described in the Auditor’s report.  There were not any significant inconsistencies between the content of the narrative report and KPMG’s knowledge of the Council.  In addition, regarding Value for Money, the Council was found to have appropriate arrangements in place with no identified significant weaknesses in respect of arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Emberson and seconded by Councillor Terry and CARRIED:

Resolved –

That the Auditor’s Annual Report for 2024/25, as attached to the report, be noted.