To consider and approve the proposed additional external audit fee charge for work completed during the external audit of the 2017/18 statement of accounts

The chief finance officer presented the report. 

It was noted that the additional fee request should not happen again as there had been learning and solutions had been put in place.   The issue was that the council had a low revenue budget which was one of the smallest budgets of all unitary authorities.   The council also had a significant amount of assets.  

The committee welcomed Gail Turner-Radcliffe, Grant Thornton, as the new audit manager and thanked Zoe Thomas (the outgoing audit manager) for her work.

Grant Thornton confirmed that when invited to do so they would share any knowledge and insight from other councils and share with the committee.    Grant Thornton would not seek to influence the debate but would be happy to be brought into any discussions on items on the agenda. 

RESOLVED

That an additional fee of £6,686 to Grant Thornton for additional work carried out to complete the 2017/18 statement of accounts external audit be approved.