Report to:	Audit Committee
Date of meeting:	24 November 2023
By:	Chief Finance Officer
Title:	External Audit – Audit Progress Report and Sector Update
Purpose:	To update the Audit Committee on progress on the delivery of Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the Council’s external auditor.

RECOMMENDATION: The Audit Committee is recommended to note the progress update provided by Grant Thornton.

1.         External Audit Progress Update

1.1       The East Sussex County Council Statement of Accounts for 2022/23, including the East Sussex Pension Fund, were published by 31 May 2023 deadline (Statement of Accounts | East Sussex County Council). Grant Thornton (GT), as the Council’s external auditors, are nearing completion of their audit. The Audit Findings Reports for East Sussex County Council and the East Sussex Pension Fund are included elsewhere on the agenda. GT are also providing a progress update to the Audit Committee at Appendix A.

1.2       The report also provides reflections on emerging audit sector issues.

2.         Conclusion and Recommendation

2.1       The Audit Committee is asked to note the progress and audit sector update provided by GT.

IAN GUTSELL

Chief Finance Officer

Contact Officer:                     Ian Gutsell, Chief Finance Officer

Tel. No:                                   01273 481399

Email:                                      ian.gutsell@eastsussex.gov.uk

Local Member(s): All

Background Documents

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