Spelthorne responds to external audit report

At the

meeting on the 25 February 2025, Councillors reviewed the final Statement of Accounts and the external Grant Thornton Audit Report for 2023-24. Local authorities are required to have their accounts independently audited every year which ensures transparency and accountability for public money spent on services.[1]

At the end of last year, the Council welcomed new central government legislation measures to tackle the growing backlog of overdue external audits on local authority accounts across England. 

The external report highlighted concerns in several areas - including financial sustainability, governance and efficiency. The Council accepts the need to address the issues identified in the reports and has implemented a strong and cohesive action plan[3] to address the issues highlighted, including regular reporting to committee on progress against the plan.

The report recommendations which can be read in full

, include:

• produce relevant financial reports for short-term and medium-term planning
• approve a sustainable business plan for Knowle Green Estates Ltd[4]
• reinstate its transformation programme to address medium-term budget gaps
• ensure that the Financial Reporting Working Group is appropriately resourced
• provide guidance and training to Officers in report writing
•  ensure corporate performance monitoring of its strategic priorities is reported to Committee/Full Council on a quarterly basis[5]
• review and monitor all action plans arising from external reviews

Substantial progress has already been made in all areas, including bolstering the capacity of the finance team, extending the timeline of reports to allow more time for Councillors to review plans, the approval of a Development Delivery programme to maximise affordable housing opportunities, a draft medium term business plan, a sustainable plan for the sinking funds reserve, a refreshed risk register and further report writing training to take place this month.

Chair of the Audit Committee, Cllr Jon Button said, "Councillors have thoroughly reviewed the recommendations and, with Officers, are taking the necessary steps to address the identified issues, ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability.  We take this matter extremely seriously, which is why we have already put together a comprehensive action plan, with many of the actions well in hand and some nearing completion. The Committee will review progress against the action plan at each meeting going forward."

[1] Read about our services delivered in the 2024 Annual Report - Spelthorne Borough Council

[3] Read the Council's action plan

[4] Read the Knowle Green Estates Annual Report - Spelthorne Borough Council

[5] Read our latest