To receive correspondence from the Council's External Auditor (Mazars).

[Note: Councillor Lloyd declared a Personal Interest in this item, insofar as the discussion related to Stretford High School, in relation to her governorship of that school.]

Karen Murray, representing Mazars, the Council’s external auditor, was in attendance to introduce and draw Members’ attention to key aspects of the audit completion letter for 2019/20, particularly in respect of matters which had remained outstanding at the date of the Completion Report in November 2020. It was noted that an unqualified opinion on the accounts had been issued on 10th March 2021. Members discussed significant issues arising from the audit, including in relation to the valuation of assets, on which a number of measures were in hand to address the issues identified.

RESOLVED – That the content of the correspondence, and of Members’ discussion, be noted.