Finance & Annual Reports (AGAR)

The Local Audit & Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts & Audit Regulations 2015 set out the responsibilities of all local councils in respect of their accounting and auditing procedures.

Each year, the Council’s financial accounts and statements must be examined by an independent internal auditor appointed by the Council.  For the year 2023/24 this was Account-ant Yorkshire Limited. The Council is also required to complete an Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) which includes the findings of the Internal Auditor, together with Governance Statements and Financial Statements.

The AGAR is then submitted to the independent external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments.

A summary of this year’s audit process is detailed below, together with copies of the relevant documents.

Year Ending 31st March 2024

The Council’s Financial Statements and Annual Governance & Accountability  Return (AGAR) submission for the year-ending 31st March 2024 had been checked by Account Ant Ltd and subsequently approved by the Full Council at its meeting held on Thursday 27 June 2024.

The completed AGAR, together with the relevant supporting documentation, was then submitted to the external auditor, PKF Littlejohn LLP who were required to complete their review by 30th September 2024.

Following the submission, a ‘Notice of Public Rights and Publication of the Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return’ has been published along Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR with the ‘Summary of your Rights’ stating that any person interested has a right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the 2022/23 Financial Year.  This  period is from Friday 28 June 2024 until Friday 9 August 2024.

Any person who wishes to review the documentation is advised to contact the Finance Office via email matthew.carter@keighley.gov.uk or call 01535 872126.