Issue - meetings

The External Auditor, Grant Thornton for BCP Council, is required to consider whether the Council has put in place proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness its use of resources.

Auditors are required to report their commentary under specific criteria, namely financial sustainability, governance and improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness. They are required to report on any significant weaknesses they identify.

The Final 2024/25 Annual Report is attached at Appendix A, following the interim version presented to this committee on 27 November 2025. The findings are unchanged and provided for information.

Two key recommendations have been raised in relation to the cumulative DSG deficit and the statutory direction in relation to SEND.

A further four improvement recommendations have been made. The Council has provided the External Auditor with management responses to all of the recommendations.