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The Committee received report ES/2701 of the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources and Value for Money.
Councillor Langdon Morris introduced the report which provided the Committee with an overview of the Council’s Audit Results Report, including Value for Money commentary for the financial year 2024/25 (April 2024 – March 2025), along with the amended 2024/25 Statement of Accounts and the Final 2024/25 Annual Governance Statement.
Councillor Langdon Morris stated that following the backlog of local authority audits, revised regulations require councils to publish audited accounts by 27 of February 2026. The audit results report issues a disclaimed opinion on the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts. The Council continues to positively build on its prior year assurance levels, although further work is required in order for the Council to regain an unqualified opinion in future years. The Council were reflecting on the lessons learned in order to improve ongoing processes and ensure readiness.
Councillor Langdon Morris stated that this audit included the completion of Value for Money assessments capturing the Council's governance arrangements which include the production of its Annual Governance Statement. Following its publication in June 2025, findings reflect no matters to report and no further changes before required.
The Chief Finance Officer stated that the team realised that there were lessons to be learnt and improvements to be made going forward. The Finance team had already held a lessons learnt meeting and would be working with EY to establish how the process could be improved going forward.
The Chair invited questions
Councillor Lynch asked if all backlogged accounts had been cleared and worked through, and were there any outstanding items from these. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed these were now up to date. Mr Riglar stated that there was partial reassurance for the previous years accounts, any gaps would be identified in a risk assessment.
Councillor Byatt asked whether the 911 full time staff figure also included staff at East Suffolk Services Ltd. The Chief Executive stated this would be East Suffolk Council employed staff, not ESSL.
Councillor Byatt asked what the delay in group accounts was due to. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed this was due to a delay in information coming across about pensions from Norse.
Councillor Lynch stated that this was the first report which showed a large number of amber/red issues, previously most reports had been green. Councillor Lynch asked why this was the case and how it compared to other district councils. Mr Riglar stated the reporting had been changed as there was now a statutory backstop date which prevented things being delayed until they were ready and as a result information had to be correct the first time round. This also meant there was a tighter timeframe to complete a very large set of accounts. Mr Riglar estimated that only 20% of councils in the EY portfolio would be moving to a qualified opinion.
Councillor Lynch asked if there were more errors being passed on from the Council due to a lack of resources. Mr Riglar stated that the Council's internal audit was about the systems and processes during the year, whereas the external audit considered the year end processes, however there may be a need for increased checks before information was sent. The Chief Finance Officer stated the change in reporting required a change in the internal processes and this was being worked on based on feedback from EY.
Councillor Byatt asked how close the council was to fulfilling its responsibilities in regards to the decent homes standard. Councillor Beavan stated that there were no category one issues, and progress was regularly being reported to Cabinet.
Councillor Byatt referred to the disclosure misstatements and asked what this was due to and whether there was there any need for staff training. The Chief Finance Officer stated that where there had been misstatements processes and controls would be put in place as part of improvements made.
Councillor Lynch asked how the financial control issues that had been raised for 24/25 would be addressed. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed this would be picked up in the review of lessons learned and time would be built in for review going forward. There was some segregation of duties and there needed to be a check on where items had slipped through so work would be done with other teams to ensure information was provided on a timely basis. The team generally worked well, change was needed around quality control, assurance and more rigorous checking to ensure the correct information in the correct format was provided to EY in good time. This would be put in place for 25/26 and an update could be provided to the Committee when the final accounts reported.
Councillor Byatt referred to the valuation of property, plant and equipment which was shown as outstanding and asked if this would be done in time for LGR. The Chief Finance Officer stated that this information had not been supplied in time for the completion of the statement of accounts, but the work had been done.
Councillor Lynch asked if the investment property information would be provided in good time. Mr Riglar confirmed this audit had been started.
Councillor Lynch asked when the final costs for the audit would be available as indicative costs were usually included in this report. Mr Riglar stated that this had been changed this year, an estimated scale fee would be reported to PSAA first of all, then discussed with the Chief Finance Officer. The Chair asked if this could be communicated with the Committee as soon as it was available. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed funding had been given by government to help with additional fees related to the backlog.
The Chair asked that an additional recommendation be added that the Committee receive an update on assurance measures and the final audit fee be communicated to the Committee when available.
On the proposal of Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Byatt it was
RESOLVED
That the Audit and Governance Committee:
1. Delegated authority to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Chair of Audit and Governance Committee, to approve the Statement of Accounts for 2024/25 by 27 February 2026 following EY final review.
2. Noted the changes to the Statement of Accounts which occurred between the draft and Final accounts for 2024/25.
3. Approved the Final Annual Governance Statements for 2024/25.
4. Receive that an update on assurance measures and the final audit fee be communicated to the Committee when available.