This report provides an overall summary of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council. The full report can be downloaded and viewed from the link on the right.

External audit is an essential element in the process of accountability for public money and makes an important contribution to the stewardship of public resources and the corporate governance of public services.

Audit in the public sector is underpinned by three fundamental principles.

• Auditors are appointed independently from the bodies being audited.
• The scope of auditors' work is extended to cover not only the audit of financial statements but also value for money and the conduct of public business.
• Auditors may report aspects of their work widely to the public and other key stakeholders.

The duties and powers of auditors appointed by the Audit Commission are set out in the Audit Commission Act 1998, the Local Government Act 1999 and the Commission's statutory Code of Audit Practice. Under the Code of Audit Practice, appointed auditors are also required to comply with the current professional standards issued by the independent Auditing Practices Board.