Purpose

The Council needs to secure an approved audit
firm to conduct the review of our housing pooled capital receipts
return for 2023/24. This needs to be concluded by the end of
December 2024.
 
This service has been provided by Grant
Thornton in the past. They have provided a fixed quote of
£10,000 to complete the 2023/24 audit and submit their
response to the DLUHC, which is similar
to previous years.
 
There is also a very limited supply of Audit
firms to carry out this work with availability to complete this
return to deadline – as the vast majority of Audit Firms are
focused on the backlog of Statement of Accounts audits.
Budget provision exists for this as part of
the External audit budget.

Decision

To exempt from market testing under paragraph
3.10.2 of the Contract Standing Orders to award this £10,000
contract to Grant Thornton.
 
Reason:
This is in the best interest of the Council,
given Grant Thornton are familiar with IBC’s working papers
and can complete the audit in the short time available. To not
appoint an auditor to make the deadline may result in a breach of
the guidelines and possible financial loss.