Martin Ford 04 November 2022

Auditor hands statutory recommendations to two councils

Auditor hands statutory recommendations to two councils   image
Image: Andrew W Kerr / Wikimedia

Two councils have been issued with rare statutory recommendations by their external auditor.

Grant Thornton took the step of issuing section 24 notices to Bromsgrove and Redditch DCs, which have a shared service arrangement, after both failed to deliver their 2020-21 statements of accounts on time.

A major overhaul of the councils’ financial system has caused problems, with Grant Thornton finding they ‘continue to attempt to resolve significant issues with the system some 20 months after the implementation date’.

Coupled with a high turnover of staff, the councils fell ‘significantly behind in respect of key statutory financial reporting deadlines,’ the auditor added in its report.

Recommendations included improving management of key projects, being ‘completely transparent regarding the financial challenge’ faced in the medium-term, and improving performance and risk monitoring.

The councils insisted they had ‘already taken action earlier this year’ including the recruitment of a new finance team.

Bromsgrove leader Karen May said: ‘Of course, we are disappointed in the auditor’s decision, especially because of all the hard work we have put in over the last year when we first started working with them.’

Redditch’s leader Matt Dormer added: ‘This has come as no surprise and we have made no secret about it, which is why we are in the strong position that we are now with most of the recommendations already in hand or resolved.

‘This council will continue to not shy away from making tough and unpopular decisions to ensure a buoyant budget.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£38220 - £49282
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the Family Support and Safeguarding Workbook modules, and a strengths-bas Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Financial Assessment Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£30,510 - £45,564 per annum
Financial Assessment Officer
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

HDRC Partnerships Officer

Essex County Council
£26786.00 - £31512.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
HDRC Partnerships OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£26,786 to £31,512 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Delivery Lead

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Lead the daily operations of our SEN service, ensuring every child receives the support they deserve. Working as an SEN Delivery Lead means being at t England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Complex Case Officer (SEN)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support children and young people with complex needs, ensuring they receive the right help at the right time. Working as a Complex Case Officer in ou England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner