News
NALC pushes permanent parish exemption from full audit regime
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has intensified its campaign to permanently exempt local (parish and town) councils from the rigorous category one full audit regime.
Responding to the government's consultation on addressing the local audit backlog in England, NALC has backed the Smaller Authorities' Audit Appointments (SAAA) proposal to eliminate the existing minimum threshold of £6.5 million per annum for the full audit regime. Additionally, NALC asserts that local councils and internal drainage boards should be unequivocally classified as smaller authorities, irrespective of their turnover.
This move by NALC underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the financial oversight of local councils and the administrative burdens placed upon them. By permanently exempting local councils from the full audit regime, resources can be better directed toward essential community services and projects.
The push for exemption aligns with NALC's long-standing advocacy for the autonomy and efficiency of local councils nationwide. As discussions continue, stakeholders await further developments regarding the future of local audit procedures and the potential impact on smaller authorities.
The consultation sought views on amending the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 as part of a package of cross-system measures to clear the backlog and put the system on a sustainable footing.