North Meols Parish Council

Section 3 – External Auditor’s Report and Certificate 2023/24

In respect of

1 Respective responsibilities of the auditor and the authority

Our responsibility as auditors to complete a limited assurance review is set out by the National Audit Office (NAO). A limited assurance review is not a full statutory audit, it does not constitute an audit carried out in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK & Ireland) and hence it does not provide the same level of assurance that such an audit would. The UK Government has determined that a lower level of assurance than that provided by a full statutory audit is appropriate for those local public bodies with the lowest levels of spending.

Under a limited assurance review, the auditor is responsible for reviewing Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return in accordance with NAO Auditor Guidance Note 02 (AGN 02) as issued by the NAO on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General. AGN 02 is available from the NAO website – https://www.nao.org.uk/code-audit- practice/guidance-and-information-for-auditors/

This authority is responsible for ensuring that its financial management is adequate and effective and that it has a sound system of internal control. The authority prepares an Annual Governance and Accountability Return in accordance with Proper Practices which:

• summarises the accounting records for the year ended 31 March 2024; and
• confirms and provides assurance on those matters that are relevant to our duties and responsibilities as external auditors.

2 External auditor’s limited assurance opinion 2023/24

NORTH MEOLS PARISH COUNCIL – LA0154

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Except for the matter reported below on the basis of our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), in our opinion the information in Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.The AGAR was not accurately completed before submission for review. Section 2, Box 4 does not include items which are staff costs as defined in the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance Practitioners’ Guide. Please note that Box 4 should comprise payments made in relation to the employment of staff including only gross salary, employers’ national insurance contributions, employers’ pension contributions, gratuities for employees or former employees and severance or terminations payments to employees. The figures in Section 2, Boxes 4 and 6 for the prior year are incorrect as payment to HMRC have not been included in Section 2 Box 4 but instead included in Section 2 Box 6 and therefore should read £20,026 and £66,486 (respectively).

Other matters not affecting our opinion which we draw to the attention of the authority:None

3 External auditor certificate 2023/24

We certify that we have completed our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return, and discharged our responsibilities under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, for the year ended 31 March 2024.

External Auditor Name

Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023/24 Form 3
Local Councils, Internal Drainage Boards and other Smaller Authorities*

Date

PKF LITTLEJOHN LLP

External Auditor Signature

29/09/2024

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