Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided information regarding the options available for the external audit arrangements for the Corporation. The report recommended that a single procurement process was undertaken to appoint the same external auditor for all funds. The report explained that, if Members approved this approach, it would be necessary to extend (via a waiver) the non-local authority audit contract with Moore Stephens LLP by a year to align it with the local authority audit contract, and establish an auditor panel to advise on the selection and appointment of the auditor.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

a)    agrees the preferred option of a single procurement process to appoint the same external auditor for all funds;

b)    approves the re-establishment of an Independent Audit Appointment Panel (IAAP) to act as the auditor panel as required under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014;

c)    appoints Alderman Nick Anstee and Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark to the IAAP;

d)    authorises the Town Clerk to advertise for three independent Members for the IAAP;

e)    establishes a selection panel for the Independent Members of the IAAP, which is authorised to shortlist and interview applicants, comprising the Alderman Nick Anstee, Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark, the Chamberlain and the Town Clerk; and

f)     delegates authority to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, to make a recommendation to the Court of Common Council on the appointment of independent Members to the IAAP.