Issue - meetings

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

32.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

32.2     It was RESOLVED – to note the Annual Audit Letter and fee update for 2018/19.

Reason

32.3     The Annual Audit Letter summarises the key findings from the external audit of the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts for the Council and the East Sussex Pension Fund, together with the 2018/19 Value for Money conclusion and recommendations to management.

Report by the Chief Finance Officer

25.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Finance Officer, together with an update on the fee which has been queried, directly with Grant Thornton (GT) and through Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA).

25.2     The Committee asked questions about the relationship with the external auditors and the negotiation of the fee.  Ian Gutsell confirmed that his staff and the local GT Team had worked well together, and that some of the elements of the increased fee related to national, rather than East Sussex specific, matters.  He confirmed that a “lessons learned” meeting had already been held with the GT Team, to inform the work for next year.  

25.3     The Committee RESOLVED to: (1) note the Annual Audit Letter; and

(2) require the Chief Finance Officer to report the outcome of the fee negotiations to the next meeting.