Audit
Extra scrutiny for council companies
Senior councillors will receive a confidential quarterly report on the performance of all Warrington Council companies after two external reviews into the authority’s commercial approach.
Council warned not to overly rely on reserves
Auditors have warned Sutton LBC to be careful about relying too much on its reserves to offset current and future demand and cost pressures.
Lack of entrants to council audit market
Councils have been urged to play a role in making the local government audit market a more attractive proposition for accountancy firms.
Government dismisses Redmond idea for audit regulator
The Government has poured cold water on the idea of a new independent regulator for local audit – the ‘central proposal’ of a review.
PSAA to consider 'whopping' 120% audit fee hike
The body responsible for overseeing audit fees is poised to assess requests for a number of significant increases, including one ‘whopping’ 120% rise.
Half of councils miss audit deadline, says PSAA
Over half of local authority accounts have missed their audit deadline this year due to continuing pressure on staff time from lockdowns.
Edinburgh can do more to ‘fulfil its potential,’ say auditors
Edinburgh City Council should do more to ‘fulfil its potential,’ auditors have said.
Auditors probe gagging orders
Auditors have delayed signing off Thanet DC’s 2019/20 accounts while they investigate the council’s use of gagging orders in resolving grievances.
Crisis-hit Croydon approves action plan
Croydon LBC has approved an action plan to put ‘strong financial management and governance right at the heart of the organisation’.
Government stop-gap on SEND deficits
Treasurers have welcomed a second government attempt to deal with spiralling special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits but have stressed it is ‘not sustainable’.
Sector braced for more Whitehall interventions
Local government is braced for further Whitehall interventions in the wake of ministers launching reviews of two councils within days of each other.
PSAA seeks to increase audit fee role
The body responsible for overseeing audit fees has proposed a new approach under which it will play a greater national role.
Two firms must improve their audits, says FRC
Two firms have been told their audit work requires ‘significant improvement’, a review of local audit by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has concluded.
Rapid review into Croydon’s ‘dysfunctional governance’
The Government is conducting a rapid review into Croydon Council, focusing on its government, culture and risk management.
Spelthorne councillors to be more involved in commercial decisions after criticism
Spelthorne BC councillors will be more involved in future investment-related decisions after the council’s borrowing was criticised for ignoring government guidance.
Public interest report issued over 'financial fiasco' at Croydon
Croydon LBC has been accused of ‘corporate blindness’ by external auditors in a public interest report on the council’s finances.
Lancashire deficit to reach £79m
The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left Lancashire CC facing a deficit of £79.3m by 2023/24.
PSAA questions Redmond recommendation
The sector-led body responsible for most auditor appointments in local government bodies has questioned whether the Redmond reforms can be delivered quickly enough.
Spelthorne assets have 'continued to perform well'
A council criticised for borrowing millions of pounds to strike deals has said its assets have ‘continued to perform well’ despite the COVID-19 downturn.
Two birds one stone on audit
The recommendation in the Redmond review to push back the accounts completion and audit dates is, in the view of Simone HInes, a backward step, 'a point the Society of District Council Treasurers made during the review process'.
