External auditors verbal update
Minutes:
Simon Mathers (EY) provided an update on the latest government proposals to address the current audit backlog nationally. As previously notified, the 2022/23 accounts would receive a disclaimer of opinion with a backstop date of 13 December 2024. Consequently EY would submit an audit completion report with the disclaimed opinion (which also included details of the work undertaken) to the 28 November 2024 meeting of this committee. The 2023/24 accounts have a backstop date of 28 February 2025 and EY plan to submit a report to the 25 February 2025 meeting.
Mr Mathers responded to members’ questions on the reasons for the current backlog and stated that it was anticipated further backstop dates would be required until 2026/27. He confirmed that the cost of the work on the 2022/23 accounts had not yet been submitted to Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) and it would be PSAA who agreed the final fee payable and any refund to the Council. The date for the unaudited 2024/25 accounts to be published would be 31 May 2025.
RESOLVED:
That the update be noted.