William Eichler 24 November 2023

Urgent action needed to re-establish trust in local audit

Urgent action needed to re-establish trust in local audit image
Image: Olivier Le Moal / Shutterstock.com.

The Government must take urgent action to remedy the ongoing problems with local audit and improve accountability at the local level, MPs say.

A new report by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee warns that the ‘large and growing’ backlog of accounts whose audits have not been completed is undermining trust.

Clive Betts, chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, said: ‘Local audit is in crisis and the Government must act to fix it. Serious delays in local audits mean that many councils are not fully sighted to problems while they make major financial and service decisions, with audit delays also leaving local taxpayers in the dark.

‘The growing backlog of audit opinions seriously undermines efforts to hold councils to account for their financial management. The Government now needs to set out urgently what it will do to clear the backlog, re-establish trust in local audit, and accelerate its efforts to establish a local audit system leader.’

The report urges the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to clear the audit backlog quickly and recommends backstop dates for publishing audits.

The DLUHC has been contacted for comment.

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner