A verbal report of the External Auditor, Deloitte.
Minutes:
The Committee received a verbal update from the Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO) and the Council’s External Auditors, Deloitte, in respect of the External Audit of the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Statement of Accounts.
The DCFO welcomed representatives from Deloitte, Mr Sheriff and Mr Ramkhelowon, via Microsoft Teams.
The DCFO reminded the Committee that the report it considered at its meeting on 27 September 2021 in respect of the External Audit of the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts and ISA260 only provided approximately half of the items being reviewed and if any further update was required, the Council’s External Auditors would provide an update to the Committee. The DCFO explained that in addition to the update in respect of the External Audit of the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts, an update on the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts would also be provided by Deloitte.
Mr Sheriff explained that during the previous update provided to the Committee, open queries remained in respect of questions relating to valuation with Officers and the External Valuer. He further explained that the External Valuer had agreed some of the numbers were not fully supported and that there would be an adjustment, and he confirmed that all other open queries had been resolved satisfactorily.
Mr Sheriff confirmed that Deloitte was in the process of singing off the accounts as it was in the process of closing out procedures and questions relating to the External Audit of the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts.
Mr Sheriff highlighted that Deloitte was in the beginning stages of the External Audit of the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts and that it had adequate staffing numbers allocated for the remainder of 2022 to catch up on outstanding audits for Lewes District Council and other neighbouring authorities.
The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, expressed dissatisfaction with regard to recent updates from Deloitte relating to the External Audits of the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Statement of Accounts.
The Committee requested anticipated dates of completion for the External Audits for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Statement of Accounts. Mr Sheriff explained that Deloitte had anticipated signing off the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts by the end of March 2022. With respect to the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts, it depended on what issues arose over the coming weeks, but that the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts were anticipated to be signed of between June to August 2022.
Discussions included the pace of completion for the External Audit of the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts, procurement and the scale of fees set by the PSAA (Public Sector Audit Appointments), and the anticipated figures for variation of fees in respect of the External Audits of the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Statement of Accounts.
Mr Sheriff highlighted that Deloitte would report back to the Committee with the anticipated figures for variation of fees in respect of the External Audits of the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Statement of Accounts.
The Chair thanked Mr Sheriff and Mr Ramkhelowon for attending the meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Resolved: That the verbal update be noted.