Commentary Part 2: Local Authorities — Governance and Audit Introduction Section 36 - Overview; Section 37 - Notification duties of local authorities; and Section 53 - Regulations
108.Section 36 provides that the relevant audit authority may appoint a person to carry out audit functions in relation to a local authority entity which meets certain qualifying criteria. An entity for the purposes of this Chapter is a company, a limited liability partnership (“LLP”), or an industrial and provident society (“I&PS”). The qualifying criteria are that the entity is connected with a local authority and that it meets other conditions specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State in England or by Welsh Ministers in Wales. A local authority is as defined in the Local Government Act 2003, and is required by accounting and auditing regulations to prepare statements of accounts. The smaller parish councils are excluded from the provisions for whilst they are covered by the 2003 Act definition, they are not required to prepare statements of accounts.
109.Section 37 provides that a local authority in England or Wales must notify the entity and the relevant audit authority if an entity meets, or ceases to meet, the qualifying conditions or ceases to be connected with the authority. Notification must be made within 21 days of the matter coming to the attention of the local authority.