Members were informed of the changes to the arrangements for appointing external auditors following the closure of the Audit Commission and the forthcoming end of the transitional arrangements at the conclusion of the 2017/18 audits. The committee was informed that an External Auditor would need to be appointed by 31 December 2017 and the options available were highlighted. Following discussion, members agreed that they would prefer the third option listed whereby the authority would be able to opt in to a sector led body appointed by the Secretary of State.
RECOMMENDED – option 3 be RECOMMENDED.