Issue - meetings

(See report at agenda item 5 (pages 20 to 25) of the Cabinet agenda of 4 October 2016

RECOMMENDED BY THE CABINET

That the Council approves the opting by Chichester District Council into sector-led procurement of external audit services by the appointed person, Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA).

Mrs Hardwick (Cabinet Member for Finance & Governance Services), seconded by Mrs Lintill, moved these recommendations to the Council.

Mrs Hardwick introduced the report, stating that changes were required to the appointment of external auditors following the end of transitional arrangements at conclusion of the 2017-18 audits. The advantages and disadvantages of opting in to the sector-led option were set out in the report. Due to economies of scale this would be an economical option for the Council however control of the procurement process would be lost and an element of housing benefit work was not within that regime and would need to be continued in house. On balance it had been decided to opt-in to the sector-led auditor appointment.

RESOLVED

That theCouncil opts-in tosector-led procurement ofexternal auditservices bythe appointedperson, PublicSector Audit AppointmentsLtd (PSAA).

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and to make a recommendation to the Council that the Council opts in to sector-led procurement of external audit services by the appointed person, Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA).

RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL

That the Council approves the opting by Chichester District Council into sector-led procurement of external audit services by the appointed person, Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA).

The Cabinet considered the agenda report (copy attached to the official minutes).

In Mrs Hardwick’s absence Mr Dignum presented the report.

With reference to sections 3, 5 and 8 of the agenda report Mr Dignum explained the background to the need for CDC to make an appointment of external auditors, reviewed the available options and articulated the case for the preference recommended by officers for opting into a sector-led procurement undertaken by Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA).

In reply to a question by Mrs Taylor, Mr Ward explained that (a) the speed of the process was dictated by the PSAA and CDC needed to give the PSAA an early indication of its preferred option and (b) it was hoped that the housing benefit audit could be included in the contract (it was a decision for the Department of Communities and Local Government) but if that could not be achieved then a separate procurement for that aspect would be necessary.      

Decision

The Cabinet voted unanimously by a show of hands in favour of the recommendation in para 3.1 of the report.   

RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL

That the Council approves the opting by Chichester District Council into sector-led procurement of external audit services by the appointed person, Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA).