Issue - meetings

To consider the External Audit Progress Report – June 2016.

The Committee received the External Audit Progress Report – June 2016.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         Helen Thompson informed the Committee that Ernst & Young had completed its walkthrough of the key Council’s financial systems in February/March 2016.  No significant issues had been identified.

·         Ernst & Young had continued to liaise with officers on plans relating to the new requirements for highways network assets and the Better Care Fund.

·         At the planning stage of the audit, no significant value for money risks at the Council had been identified.

·         Further detail on the 2014/15 Housing Benefits subsidy claim was included in response to questions raised at the previous Audit Committee.

·         With regards to the local appointment of auditors, the Committee was reminded that existing external audit arrangements would remain unchanged for the 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 years.  From 2018/19 onwards, councils would be required to appoint their own auditors.

RESOLVED:  That the External Audit Progress Report – June 2016 be noted.