Agenda item

6.1

The Interim Executive Director, Resources submitted a report (a) summarising the changes to the arrangements for appointing External Auditors following the closure of the Audit Commission and the end of the transitional arrangements at the conclusion of the 2017/18 audits and (b) setting out, and commenting upon the associated advantages/benefits and disadvantages/risks of, the three broad options available to the Council with regard to the appointment of its External Auditors from April 2018, which were to make a stand-alone appointment, or set up a joint auditor panel/local joint procurement arrangements, or opt-in to a sector-led body.

6.2

The Committee was asked to consider the options available, with a view to making a recommendation on the preferred approach to the full Council.

6.3

Following questions and comments from Members of the Committee, including some communicated by the Chair on behalf of Liz Stanley, it was:-

6.4

RESOLVED: That (i) the contents of the report now submitted be noted;

(ii) the Council should retain its interest in the option to opt-in to a sector-led body, but officers be requested to further explore and assess the costs associated with the options of a stand-alone appointment and local joint procurement arrangements, including conducting some “soft market testing” with some audit companies; and

(iii) a further report on this matter be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee.

(NOTE: Trevor Rees and Alison Ormston, KPMG, were not present whilst the Committee discussed the above item and made its decision, but on returning to the meeting, Trevor Rees provided his views on the matter, after being invited to do so by the Committee.)