Issue - meetings

The Service Director – Finance presented a report on the method of procurement for the external audit service to cover the five consecutive financial years from 1 April, 2023.

The report explained that local bodies could either arrange their own procurement and make the appointment themselves or use the national collective scheme managed by Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd. The advantages and disadvantages of both options were outlined in section 4.2 of the officer’s report.

Due to the current challenging marketing conditions and availability of appropriately qualified auditors, it was recommended that option two, the national scheme, was the preferred method of procurement on the basis that it was the most efficient way to appoint the external auditor and was likely to achieve the most competitive price.

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that the Council opts into the appointing person arrangements made by Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd for the procurement and appointment of external auditors.