Changes to local audit will see the new audit regulator, the Audit Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA), take responsibility for local council and health body audits
ARGA will replace the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) once the government puts the measures to parliament, but it will take on audit oversight from September this year and is already recruiting for a specialist local audit team.
Local government minister Kemi Badenoch MP said: ‘A robust system of local audit is key to maintaining public confidence in local government through assuring transparency and accountability.’
Badenoch said the changes announced as part of wider audit reform will be ‘the first steps towards a more coordinated local audit system’.
From September 2022, the current regulator will take on the new duties, overseeing the day to day governance of the audit of public sector bodies, local authorities and government departments.
