The survey identified the following messages:
-
local authorities are overwhelmingly in support of the proposal that they should be able to appoint their own auditors;
-
half of respondents do not think their current audit fees represent value for money and most believe that the ability to choose their auditors will improve this situation;
-
local authorities value the assurance that external audit provides on a wide range of issues and recognise also the importance of auditors being both independent and having a clear understanding of their sector and business;
-
the majority of local authorities do not currently feel well prepared to deliver the changes being proposed, with a strong perception that the Government needs to publish a clear and detailed timetable soon to provide necessary clarity and focus;
-
many local authorities are considering the possibility of some form of collaborative procurement process to appoint their auditor, with the involvement of neighbouring bodies in the same tier or different tiers being seen as the most likely approaches; and
-
nearly three quarters of respondents think their current audit committee is good or excellent, but most respondents believe the proposed changes need to bring a range of improvements to the operation and effectiveness of the audit committees in the future.
