Audit of Accounts
The government, working closely with partner organisations, has implemented measures because of a large backlog in relation to local audit in England. One consequence is that many local bodies will receive modified or disclaimed audit opinions due to circumstances largely outside of their control and where these do not signify issues in their financial accounts.
For further information visit Addressing the local audit backlog: modified or disclaimed audit opinions - GOV.UK. This explains the context for these opinions to help ensure that local bodies are not unfairly judged.
Audit of Accounts for year ended 31 March 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015
Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014
Each year the Council’s Statement of Accounts is subject to external audit by Grant Thornton UK LLP and any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounts and any relevant documents.
Notice is hereby given under Regulation 15(2)(b) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 that from 11 July 2025 to 21 August 2025 any person may on request inspect, and make copies of the accounts and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other related documents of the Council for the year ended 31 March 2025, as stipulated in Section 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
The unaudited Statement of Accounts is available to view as follows:
During this period, a local government elector for any area to which the accounts relate, or their representative, may question the auditor about the accounts, or make an objection to the accounts as set out in sections 26 and 27 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Any objection, and the grounds on which it is made, must be sent to the auditor in writing, stating the grounds on which the objection is being made and particulars of:
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any item of account which is alleged to be contrary to law; and
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any matter in respect of which it is proposed that the auditor could make a public interest report under section 24 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 7 to, the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
Objections should be addressed to Parris Williams at Grant Thornton UK LLP, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2M 7EA. At the same time, a copy should also be sent to the Director (Corporate Services) at Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend DA12 1AU.
Date: 10 July 2025
Sarah Parfitt CPFA Director (Corporate Services)