NALC will respond to government audit review

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has confirmed that it will be responding to the government's review into local government audit led by Sir Tony Redmond.

NALC's response will be restating its key points on audit – on excessive audit fees triggered by habitual resident complaints; proportionality of audit fee setting; the need to review and monitor the ceiling of £6.5m for the limited assurance audit regime; and the strategic need for stability in the local government audit system.

Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC, said: “NALC are delighted to discuss with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Sir Tony Redmond on this important audit review. We want to relay our strong views on resident objections, proportionality, audit fees for smaller councils and the upper ceiling for the limited assurance regime back to the review as we think some small changes may be needed in future.”

NALC will meet with the review team in September and respond to a call for evidence later this year. The review team will make its initial recommendations in December and the final report is due to be published in early 2020.