Audit
Edinburgh can do more to ‘fulfil its potential,’ say auditors
Edinburgh City Council should do more to ‘fulfil its potential,’ auditors have said.
Auditors probe gagging orders
Auditors have delayed signing off Thanet DC’s 2019/20 accounts while they investigate the council’s use of gagging orders in resolving grievances.
Crisis-hit Croydon approves action plan
Croydon LBC has approved an action plan to put ‘strong financial management and governance right at the heart of the organisation’.
Government stop-gap on SEND deficits
Treasurers have welcomed a second government attempt to deal with spiralling special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits but have stressed it is ‘not sustainable’.
Sector braced for more Whitehall interventions
Local government is braced for further Whitehall interventions in the wake of ministers launching reviews of two councils within days of each other.
PSAA seeks to increase audit fee role
The body responsible for overseeing audit fees has proposed a new approach under which it will play a greater national role.
Two firms must improve their audits, says FRC
Two firms have been told their audit work requires ‘significant improvement’, a review of local audit by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has concluded.
Rapid review into Croydon’s ‘dysfunctional governance’
The Government is conducting a rapid review into Croydon Council, focusing on its government, culture and risk management.
Spelthorne councillors to be more involved in commercial decisions after criticism
Spelthorne BC councillors will be more involved in future investment-related decisions after the council’s borrowing was criticised for ignoring government guidance.
Public interest report issued over 'financial fiasco' at Croydon
Croydon LBC has been accused of ‘corporate blindness’ by external auditors in a public interest report on the council’s finances.
Lancashire deficit to reach £79m
The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left Lancashire CC facing a deficit of £79.3m by 2023/24.
PSAA questions Redmond recommendation
The sector-led body responsible for most auditor appointments in local government bodies has questioned whether the Redmond reforms can be delivered quickly enough.
Spelthorne assets have 'continued to perform well'
A council criticised for borrowing millions of pounds to strike deals has said its assets have ‘continued to perform well’ despite the COVID-19 downturn.
Two birds one stone on audit
The recommendation in the Redmond review to push back the accounts completion and audit dates is, in the view of Simone HInes, a backward step, 'a point the Society of District Council Treasurers made during the review process'.
Government intervention threat over code flouters
The Government has warned councils could be subject to statutory intervention if they continue to ignore the prudential framework.
Whiteman: Audit appointment system not independent enough
The system of appointing auditors needs to be independent and not driven by a politically-led organisation, finance expert Rob Whiteman has argued.
Auditors poised to qualify accounts over SEND
Auditors are poised to qualify some value for money opinions as a result of spiralling special educational needs and disabilities deficits, The MJ understands.
New oversight body 'dead in the water' without legislation
Sir Tony Redmond’s proposals for a new audit oversight body are ‘dead in the water’ unless the Government devotes some legislative time, a former Section 151 officer has warned.
The dark side of Clarke
Last week, the sector mourned the sudden departure of local government minister Simon Clarke.
Before reorganisation we need a clear view of the sector's core purpose
How local government 'can sensibly be reorganised without a clear view of its core purpose (will adult social care services be in or out?) or funding mechanisms' is baffling Abdool Kara.
