To update on the progress for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Redmond Review and recommend the Council opts-in to the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors from 1 April 2023.

Darren Carter, Director of Finance, submitted a report on the progress for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Redmond Review and seeking endorsement of the proposal that the Council opts-in to the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors from 1 April 2023. 

During 2021, the Government had published two further Redmond Review updates and a technical consultation. A summary of these was detailed in the report.  CIPFA would be publishing strengthened guidance on audit committees by April 2022. The guidance would emphasise the role that audit committees should have in ensuring accounts were prepared to a high standard, alongside broader changes including considering the appointment of independent members.  A further report would be submitted to the Committee in due course to consider the implications of the updated guidance.

The report explained that, under the Local Government Audit & Accountability Act 2014, the Council was required to appoint an external auditor to audit the accounts.  The Council had previously opted into the ‘appointing person’ national auditor appointment arrangements established by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) for the period covering the accounts for 2018/19 to 2022/23.  The advantages of continuing with this approach were set out in the report.

Resolved:

(1)        That the progress on the implementation of the Redmond Review be noted;

(2)        That a further report be presented to the Committee following the publication of the updated CIPFA guidance on audit committees;

(3)        That Council be recommended to accept the Public Sector Audit Appointments’ (PSAA) invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors for five years from 1 April 2023.