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(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/234) (the “2015 Regulations”), which set out detailed requirements applicable to a relevant authority (defined in section 2(1) of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c.2) (the “Act”)) other than a health service body in relation to its annual audit and accounting processes.
Regulation 2 makes several amendments to the 2015 Regulations to provide deadlines for a Category 1 authority (defined in regulation 2 of the 2015 Regulations) to publish certain accounts and statements.
Regulation 2 of the 2015 Regulations is amended to insert a definition of an auditor’s annual report, with reference to the latest Codes of Audit Practice. The Codes may be found on the National Audit Office website at this page: Code of Audit Practice - National Audit Office (NAO). Hard copies of the Codes may be obtained from, or inspected by appointment with, the National Audit Office at 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SP.
Regulation 9A is inserted into the 2015 Regulations to provide that, for the financial years 2015/16 to 2022/23, the deadline to publish the final accounts and statements is 13th December 2024. Deadlines for publication are also provided for the financial years 2023/24 to 2027/28. The published statement of accounts must have been approved by the Category 1 authority in accordance with regulation 9(2) of the 2015 Regulations and include the opinion and any certificate from the local auditor in accordance with section 20(2) of the Act. Provision is made for scenarios in which a Category 1 authority may be unable to comply with the publication deadlines.
Regulation 10 of the 2015 Regulations is amended so that it only applies from the financial years 2028/29 onwards and to amend the reference to the auditor’s opinion and certificate to ensure that the duty to publish the statement of accounts applies where the opinion has been entered but the certificate is outstanding. Regulation 15 is amended so that the period for the exercise of public rights does not need to commence until the first working day of July for financial years beginning in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027. Regulation 20 is amended so that Category 1 authorities are required to consider and publish annual audit letters or reports whenever they are received.
Regulations 3 and 4 make consequential amendments to the Non-Domestic Rating (Transitional Protection Payments) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/106) and Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/452).
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.
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