To consider a report of the Council's External Auditor (Mazars).

Muhammad Khan was in attendance on behalf of Mazars, the Council’s external auditor, to introduce a report which set out details of the progress of their audit work at the Council, as at July 2021. It was noted that the reporting timetable for 2020/21 had been extended by Government, with the Council now due to publish draft financial statements by 31^st July 2021. The paper also set out details of current publications which might be of interest to the Committee’s Members in undertaking their role.

In discussion, it was noted that in the current year the auditors would have a presence on site, rather than working entirely remotely; and it was noted that the precise timing of the availability of draft financial statements was not expected to have any significant impact on the progress of audit work to be undertaken.

RESOLVED – That the content of the update report and publications summary be noted.