The organisation responsible for appointing local government auditors has urged ‘everyone to act with appropriate professional respect’ amid tensions between councils and firms.
It comes after informal claims of a number of senior officers shouting at external auditors as efforts are made to improve the timeliness of opinions.
Julie Schofield, senior manager for business and procurement at Public Sector Audit Appointments and a member of the Government-chaired local audit liaison committee, said: ‘We are very much aware of how frustrating the current backlog is for all parties and that this is causing tension that can result in passionate discussions, including at a local level.
'But, however difficult the situation, we urge everyone to act with appropriate professional respect and to focus on finding the best way forward.’
