External audit

It is a legal requirement that we must have an external auditor. All local authorities have an external auditor appointed by the Audit Commission. Our external auditor is Grant Thornton. Our external auditor has two main roles. Firstly, it audits the annual accounts and secondly, it considers issues raised by local residents and, if warranted, takes action.

We announce the start and completion of our audits. The latest announcement is: 

Notice of Audit of Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2020.

Annual Audit Letter

Our external auditor produces an Annual Audit Letter. This covers a wider range of issues than just the accounts.

Read the Annual Audit Letter 2019 (PDF 288Kb / 18 pages)

Statement of Accounts

Unaudited Statement of Accounts 2019-2020 (PDF: 1.79Mb / 85 pages)

Objections from residents

Residents can object to the accounts on certain grounds.

For details, contact Grant Thornton our external auditor,

or see Local authority accounts - a guide to your rights' on the National Audit Office website