The Director – Assurance (Grant Thornton UK LLP) presented the Audit Plan for Wirral Council for the year ended 31 March 2014, which outlined the audit strategy and plan to deliver the audit. He outlined the Auditor’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities the Council was facing and referred to the impact of key developments and other requirements that were relevant to the Council and the audit. In addition to two presumed significant risks which were applicable to all audits under International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) he set out other risks of material misstatement that had been identified and he highlighted work that had been completed during the interim visit and further work that was planned.

The Code of Audit Practice and associated guidance also required a conclusion to be issued on whether the Council had put in place proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of its resources. This was known as the Value for Money (VfM) conclusion, which would be based upon criteria issued by the Audit Commission. Work would be undertaken to address risks that had been identified by a risk assessment and he indicated that the results of the VfM audit work and key messages arising would be reported in the Audit Findings report and in the Annual Audit Letter. He reported also the details of fees charged and set out the communication plan, to ensure that any adverse or unexpected findings affecting the audit would be communicated on a timely basis to the Council.

Resolved – That the Audit Plan be noted.