Organisation

Grant Thornton

13 stories · discussed at 15 council meetings · 9 councils

Councils are addressing audit disclaimers and financial sustainability concerns raised by external auditor Grant Thornton.

External auditor Grant Thornton has highlighted significant financial and governance issues across several councils. Kensington and Chelsea's Audit & Transparency Committee reviewed Grant Thornton's 2025/26 Auditor's Annual Report in September 2026, noting governance weaknesses related to a cyber attack and housing safety. Barking and Dagenham's Pensions Committee reviewed the 2025/26 audit plan in June 2026, with auditors working to resolve previous disclaimer issues. Grant Thornton reported in March 2026 that Barking and Dagenham Council's audit is expected to face disclaimed opinions until 2028/29 due to national backstop arrangements. Enfield Council's external auditors are expected to issue a disclaimer of opinion for the 2024-25 financial statements, as reported in October 2025.

Councils are actively addressing audit findings and planning future work. Barnet's Pension Fund Committee received Grant Thornton's draft audit findings report for 2025/26 in September 2026. Brent Council faced an additional £19,000 audit fee for 2024/25 due to poor asset record keeping, as heard by the Audit and Standards Committee in December 2025. Following Grant Thornton's recommendations in March 2026, Barking and Dagenham's Audit and Risk Committee will now oversee subsidiary company accounts. Enfield Council is considering debt reduction strategies, recommended by Grant Thornton in November 2025, as its debt is projected to reach £1.5 billion by late 2025/26.

Upcoming meetings will continue to address audit progress and financial oversight. Enfield's Audit Committee is scheduled to discuss external audit progress for 2025-2026 in September 2026. Westminster's Audit and Performance Committee is scheduled to review financial statements and audit plans in July 2026. Brent's Pension Fund Sub-Committee is also scheduled to review draft annual accounts in July 2026. Grant Thornton, an international professional services network, serves as the external auditor for several local authorities and pension funds.

Key facts

  1. Grant Thornton presented the 2025/26 audit plan to Barking and Dagenham's Pensions Committee in June 2026, working to resolve previous disclaimer issues. Source
  2. Grant Thornton reported in March 2026 that Barking and Dagenham Council's audit is expected to face disclaimed opinions until 2028/29. Source
  3. Brent Council faced an additional £19,000 audit fee for 2024/25 due to poor asset record keeping, as audited by Grant Thornton. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Barnet Pension Fund's Net Assets Grow to £1.86bn Amidst Increased Benefit Payouts Barnet Pension Fund has seen its net assets grow to £1.86 billion in the financial year 2025/26, an increase of £143 million, despite paying out more in benefits than it... Barnet 16 September 2026
  2. Pension Fund Audit Plan for 2025/26 Reviewed, Addressing Previous Year's Issues The Barking and Dagenham Pensions Committee has reviewed the audit plan for the 2025/26 financial year, presented by auditors Grant Thornton. The committee met on Tuesday, June... Barking and Dagenham 2 July 2026
  3. Audit Committee to Oversee Subsidiary Company Accounts Following Auditor Recommendations The Audit and Risk Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council will now oversee the accounts of the council's subsidiary companies, a move prompted by recommendations from... Barking and Dagenham 27 March 2026
  4. Barking and Dagenham Council Audit to Face Disclaimed Opinions Until 2028/29 Barking and Dagenham Council's audit is expected to continue facing disclaimed opinions for several more years, with a full unqualified opinion unlikely before the 2028/29... Barking and Dagenham 27 March 2026
  5. Barnet Pension Fund Surpasses £1.86bn Mark, Outperforms Benchmark Despite Audit Disclaimer The Barnet Pension Fund has reached a total value of £1.86 billion, exceeding its benchmark performance, according to a report presented to the Pension Fund Committee on Monday,... Barnet 17 March 2026
  6. Audit Committee Reports Strong Control Environment and Positive Assurance on Internal Controls Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Audit Committee has reported a strong control environment, according to its annual report for the 2024/25 municipal year. The committee reviewed... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 January 2026
  7. Brent Council Faces £19k Bill Due to Poor Asset Record Keeping and Must Approve Final Statement of Accounts Brent Council is facing an unexpected £19,000 bill due to shortcomings in its asset record keeping, the Audit and Standards Committee heard on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. The... Brent 7 December 2025
  8. Enfield Council to Consider Debt Reduction Amid Auditor Concerns Enfield Council is set to deliberate on strategies for debt reduction and bolstering risk reserves, following a recommendation from its local auditor, Grant Thornton. The... Enfield 16 November 2025