External Audit Annual Audit Letter 2009/10

Report: 10
Date: 27 January 2011
By: MPA Treasurer on behalf of the Chief Executive

Summary

The District Auditor has submitted the annual audit letter for 2009/10. The draft letter was submitted to the Corporate Governance Committee for comment at its meeting on 2 December 2010 where it was recommended that it be received by the Full Authority for approval.

A. Recommendation

That following consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee, members receive the external auditor’s letter for 2009/10.

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 of the Corporate Governance Committee considered a draft letter at its meeting on 2 December 2010 and recommended that it be received by 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

C. Other organisational & community implications

Equalities impact

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

Met Forward

2. Stewardship of public funds and delivering value for money are both key in delivering MetForward.

Financial implications

3. There are no immediate financial implications from this report, however Appendix One highlights key financial issues the Authority is facing in future years.

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. There are no direct legal implications arising from the report.

Environmental implications

6. There are no direct environmental implications arising from the report.

Risk implications

7. Appendix One highlights key areas of risk the Authority will need to consider in future years.

D. Background papers

None

E. Contact details

Report author: Annabel Adams, Deputy Treasurer, MPA

For information contact:

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

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