Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Head of Finance / Section 151 Officer regarding the options available to the council regarding the adoption of an appointing person arrangement for the appointment of an external auditor to the council for the years 2023/24 to 2027/28.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.         Noted that when a committee member first became a councillor there were concerns about Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA). Asked if Officer’s felt confident about appointing PSAA.

    ii.         Asked what the process was for providing feedback to PSAA on their level of service.

   iii.         Asked how easy it was for PSAA to find auditors. 

The Head of Finance said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         Acknowledged there had been issues with the audit market and delays in the production of audits in the last couple of years. Officers felt confident with the way in which PSAA had communicated their procurement process and their contract management. Encouraged members to have a look at the PSAA website. PSAA had taken criticism seriously. PSAA could be used as a point of reference for any disagreement over fees between Council’s and their auditors.

    ii.         Confirmed that PSAA conducted surveys and meetings with audit clients so that they could provide feedback on their level of service.

   iii.         Noted that it was a challenge for the PSAA to find auditors. One of the frequently asked questions on their website was how many auditors they had who could audit local authorities; understood there were 8 or 9.

Unanimously resolved:

i.               To recommend to Council the adoption of Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA) as the appointing person for the council.

ii.             To delegate acceptance of the invitation to the Head of Finance, as the council’s Section 151 Officer.