Decision details

The Committee received a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which presented the External Auditor’s Annual Planning Report for 2024/25.

Ms C Mellons, the Council’s Audit Partner set out the report, making particular reference to the executive summary section that detailed the rebuilding of assurance, and that guidance was awaited from the national audit officer around the rebuilding of assurance around reserves. This guidance had now been released so as a firm Ernst and Young LLP were working through that.

The Corporate Director – Finance & Resources explained that an Interim Procurement Manager was in place until September 2025, and a permanent role was about to go out. The team had already recently secured 2 new Procurement Officers, and the admin supporting the team had increased so there was an increase in the roles of the Procurement area, which would be further enhanced by the appointment of a permanent Manager.

Mr D Harris, Partner, RSM UK further clarified that there was a Procurement Audit in the 2025/26 Internal Audit Programme.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

to comment and note the External Auditor’s Annual Planning Report set out at Appendix 1.