Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Resources and Transformation)/External Auditor Engagement Lead.

The Committee received a report from the Deputy Chief Executive (Resources and Transformation) on the External Audit Plan 2017/18 which was attached at Appendix A. This included the content and timing of their statutory audit for the year ending 31 March 2018.

The plan was risk based and was materially similar to the plan last year and covered the following:

·         Respective responsibilities 

·         Deep business understanding

·         Risks identified

·         Materiality levels

·         Value for Money (VFM) arrangements

·         Resourcing, timescales and Audit Fees

·         Early Closure requirements

In respect of the identified significant risks on Page 3 of the report it was explained that these were not specific to South Ribble and were included in many action plans across the country.

The Committee was advised that there were regular meetings between Council officers and the external auditor around the Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement and the Council was confident that it would meet the deadlines.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the External Audit Plan 2017/18 be noted.