External audit annual audit letter 2009/10

Report: 4
Date: 2 December 2010
By: Treasurer

Summary

The District Auditor has submitted the annual audit letter for 2009/10. It is submitted to the Corporate Governance Committee for comment before it is reported to the Full Authority.

A. Recommendation

That members consider and comment on the external auditor’s letter at Appendix 1 before it is reported to the Full Authority.

B. Supporting information

1. The District Auditor has submitted the annual audit letter for 2009/10 and the final version is attached as Appendix 1. Members are invited to consider the letter before it is reported to the Full Authority.

2. At the conclusion of the annual audit of the Authority’s accounts the external auditor issues an annual audit letter to the members of the Authority, summarising the significant issues that have arisen as a result of his assessment of the Authority’s performance in discharging its stewardship of public money.

3. The letter covers both work carried out as part of the external audit on the accounts and also value for money. However following the decision in May 2010 to cease the police use of resources assessments, the letter no longer includes summarised information of these, and the results are not scored.

4. The report includes one recommendation, which is accepted.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equalities impact

1. There are no equality and diversity implications directly arising from this report.

Met Forward

2. Having proper arrangements in place to deliver economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources is key to the delivery of MetForward

Financial implications

3. The Audit Commission has reported on the Authority’s financial statements; and whether the authority has made proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.

4. Legal implications

4. The duties and powers of external auditors appointed by the Audit Commission are set out in the Audit Commission Act 1998, the Local Government Act 1999 and the Commissioners Statutory Code of Practice.

5. External audit is an essential element in the process of accountability for public money and makes an important contribution to the stewardship of public resources and the corporate governance of public services.

6. This Committee has delegated authority to review the external auditor’s Annual Governance Report and any other reports and to report these to the Authority as appropriate, including implementation of agreed recommendations.

Environmental implications

7. There are no environmental implications directly arising from this report.

Risk implications

8. There are no specific risk implications highlighted by this report.

D. Background papers

None

E. Contact details

Report author: Annabel Adams, Deputy Treasurer

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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