Conclusion of the External Year-End Audit, Year Ending March 2025
We are pleased to announce that the external audit of our Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the year ending 31 March 2025 has been completed by Mazars LLP on 23 September 2025.
Audit Conclusion
The limited assurance review has been completed, and the certified Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) has been received. The External Auditor’s Certificate and Report is contained in Section 3 of the AGAR.
While no significant matters arose from the review, the external auditor has provided minor recommendations for improvement relating to box 11a in Section 2 of the return and the variance reporting procedures, which the Council will address in the coming year.
Comment from the RFO
The successful completion of this external audit highlights Prudhoe Town Council’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and robust financial management. The findings confirm that our financial controls and governance arrangements remain compliant with the required standards, with only minor administrative enhancements noted.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to:
- Town Councillors, for their careful oversight and dedication to strong financial governance throughout the year.
- Our Internal Auditor, for their thorough and professional review of our systems and procedures, and for the valuable guidance that has helped to further strengthen our controls.
- The Councillors involved in payment scrutiny, for their attentive and conscientious approach to reviewing and authorising expenditure.
The Council will implement the minor improvements suggested by the external auditor regarding all boxes are filled in, marking nil or not applicable where appropriate and variance reporting to further enhance our financial reporting procedures for 2025/2026.
Public Rights
In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, the completed AGAR and external auditor’s report are available for public inspection. Members of the public may:
- Inspect the accounting records
- Make copies of the accounting records
- Purchase copies of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return
Local government electors have rights of inspection under section 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. This can be arranged ‘by appointment’ at Prudhoe Town Council, The Spetchells Centre, 58 Front Street, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 5AA
Access to Documents
The completed AGAR, external auditor’s report, and this notice are available:
- Prudhoe Town Council, (The Spetchells Centre, 58 Front Street, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 5AA)
- On our website: Budget and Expenditure – Prudhoe Town Council
- By request to the Town Clerk /RFO
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return will remain available for public access for a period of not less than five years from the date of first publication.
Contact Information
For any queries regarding the audit or to arrange inspection of documents:
Shirley Ann Gaut Hall (Town Clerk/RFO)
Prudhoe Town Council
The Spetchells Centre, 58 Front Street
Prudhoe, Northumberland NE42 5AA
Email: clerk@prudhoetowncouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: (01661) 845487
This notice is published in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015
Date of Publication: 26 September 2025
You can also view all of the Council’s financial information on the Finance page of our website, or please click on the links below:
Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023-24
