Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the external auditors on their work for the authority.

David Eagles, Senior Partner BDO, advised that they were still awaiting the conclusion of KPMG’s audit of the previous year’s accounts and Value for Money opinion for 2017-18 before commencing their own work.  They had had useful early discussions with officers about emerging matters in connection with the accounts and financial issues arising which had been very helpful.

BDO had also been working on housing grants and a Homes England return linked to the funding received for the White House Hostel project.  It was hoped that a report would be available on all grants work for the next Audit Committee meeting.

The Chief Finance Officer advised that an independent external audit of Knowle Green Estates (KGE) which was wholly owned by the Council, and fed into the consolidated group accounts, had taken place.  The external auditor had completed their audit of KGE for the last financial year and confirmed in writing that they did not have any issues but were yet to deliver their formal opinion letter.  The draft KGE Annual Report and Statement of Accounts was to be presented to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting on Monday 29 November 2021.

The Committee resolved to note the update.