Agenda item

The Council’s External Auditor (Grant Thornton) will submit their Audit Fee Letter detailing the planned audit fees (including the way these have been calculated) for the work to be undertaken during 2019/20, outlining the scope of the audit and the billing schedule together with the audit timetable and outlining the arrangements for undertaking additional work for which separate fees will be agreed.

The Council’s External Auditor (Grant Thornton) submitted their Audit Fee Letter detailing the planned audit fees (including the way these had been calculated) for the work to be undertaken during 2019/20.  It was noted that this feed was £104,718 and that there was no increase from the fees charged in 2018/19.

The report also outlined the scope of the audit, the billing schedule and audit timetable together with information about the arrangements for undertaking additional work for which separate fees would be agreed.

In the ensuing discussion particular reference was made to the following:

·         Thilina De Zoysa (Grant Thornton) briefly explained the arrangement s for the external audit of the Housing Benefits Certification which fell outside the PSAA contract.  It was noted that such assurance engagements would be subject to separate engagements between the Council and Grant Thornton.  The Service Director Finance confirmed that this was undertaken via a tendering process

·         There was a discussion of the recent change in management arrangements at Grant Thornton, however, it was not anticipated that this would have any impact on the service provided to clients.  Arising out of this discussion, Thininal De Zoyza explained the assurance arrangements in place which would ensure quality and consistent provision in audits undertaken.

RESOLVED that the audit fee letter be received.