Agenda item - Ernst & Young: Annual Certification Fees and Audit Recommendation follow up - verbal update

Report of Ernst & Young (copy attached).

1)            That the Committee note the Audit Fee for 2016/17 and the progress on recommendations made by the Council

16.1      The Committee considered a report of Ernst & Young that provided the Audit Fee Letter 2016/17 confirming the audit work and associated fee proposed for the 2016/17 financial year set by Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA) and agreed by the Executive Director, Finance & Resources. Furthermore, a verbal update was given on the progress the council has made against the external audit recommendations made in previous years.

16.2      Councillor Taylor asked if a competitive tendering exercise was undertaken for the appointment of external auditors.

16.3      Paul King clarified that the current arrangement was for external auditors to be appointed by the PSAA but under the new arrangements to commence from 2018/19, the council would be able to appoint its own auditors.

16.4      RESOLVED- That the Committee note the Audit Fee for 2016/17 and the progress on recommendations made by the Council.