This report seeks to provide the Audit and Governance Committee with a summary of the Redmond Review report, the recommendations made to the Government, along with the Government’s response.

Paul Harrington, Chief Auditor, submitted a report on an independent review by Sir Tony Redmond of the local audit process and transparency of local authority financial reporting.  The ‘Redmond Review’ examined the effectiveness of local audit and its ability to demonstrate accountability for audit performance to the public.  It also considered whether the current means of reporting a Local Authority’s annual accounts enabled the public to understand this financial information and receive the appropriate assurance that the finances of the authority were sound.  The findings and recommendations of the review along with the response of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were set out in an appendix to the report.  Whilst some recommendations had been agreed, others were being considered further with a full response to be made by spring 2021. 

Resolved:     That the recommendations of the Redmond Review and the responses from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be noted.