Meeting to be held on Thursday 1 October 2026
(Appendix 1 refers)
Contact for further information - Steven Brown, Director of Corporate Services (DoCS) Telephone Number: 01772 866804
Executive SummaryThe attached report from Grant Thornton provides the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee with an update on progress in delivering the external audit for 2025-26, together with sector updates on matters of relevance to local government, fire and rescue authorities and audit committees.
Decision RequiredThe Committee is asked to note the external auditor’s progress report and sector updates.
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Grant Thornton’s External Audit Progress and Sector Update Report provides the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee with an update on the 2025-26 external audit. The audit is progressing to schedule, with risk assessment and systems documentation completed and financial statements fieldwork well underway. The draft accounts and supporting working papers were received on time and were of good quality, with effective engagement from officers. Value for Money work is also progressing, focusing on financial sustainability, the medium-term financial strategy, budget monitoring and follow-up of two improvement recommendations from 2024-25. The Audit Findings Report, Auditor’s Report and Annual Auditor’s Report are expected in November 2026.
The report also highlights developments across the local government sector, including governance expectations, proposed revisions to Best Value statutory guidance and local government reorganisation. No significant audit issues or formal recommendations have been identified at this stage, and no decisions are required from the Committee. Members are asked to note the progress made, maintain oversight of the remaining audit work and reporting timetable, and consider the potential implications of the wider sector developments outlined in the report.
The Public Sector Audit Appointments scale fee for the 2025-26 audit is £105,938.
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The external audit programme is informed by the risks facing the Authority and the wider local government and fire sector. The progress report assists the Committee in maintaining oversight of the external audit timetable, the auditor’s value for money work and relevant sector developments that may affect governance, financial reporting and assurance arrangements.
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Appendix 1: Audit progress report and sector updates
AGS Annual Governance Statement
CIPFA Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
LGR Local Government Re-organisation
MHCLG Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
PSAA Public Sector Audit Appointments
SOLACE Society of Local Authority Chief Executives