The Interim Chief Executive introduced a report on the External Auditor Appointment for 2023/24 to 2027/28, which set out the arrangements for the appointment of external auditors and the options available to the Council.
The current contract would run until the completion of the 2022/23 financial year audit. In compliance with the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 an external auditor must be appointed for a financial year not later than 31 December in the preceding financial year. For an external auditor to be appointed for the 2023/24 financial year an appointment must be made by 31 December 2022.
The Assembly resolved to:
(i) Note the options appraisal set out in the report for appointing an external auditor for the financial years 2023/24 onwards; and
(ii) Endorse the recommendation of the Audit and Standards Committee that the Council accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) invitation to ‘opt in’ to the sector-led body procurement option, conducted by PSAA, for the appointment of external auditors for the five-year period commencing 1 April 2023.