Decision details

The Committee considered a report by Grant Thornton regarding the External Audit Progress report and Sector Update (circulated previously).

The External Auditor confirmed:

·       North Devon Council were within a small percentage (12%) who had their accounts signed off within the deadline. The completion statement was issued in November 2022.

·       Good progress had been made on the Value for Money (VfM) report. Grant Thornton had appointed a specialist for this work, and the draft was expected by the end of January 2023. This would come back to this Committee in March 2023 once finalised.

·       Only one audit claim was outstanding: the Housing Benefit Subsidy claim. The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) had extended the deadline to 31^st January 2023. It was expected that this deadline would be met. There was not believed to be any penalties for late submission.

In response to a question from the Chair, the External Auditor confirmed that there were no significant weaknesses within the Authority’s commercialisation plans.

The Chair wished to pass on his appreciation to the Authority as the audit findings were testament to how the Council was being run.

RESOLVED that the External Audit Progress Report and Sector Update be noted.