Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Given that ARGA is not going to be set up until 2023 at the earliest,...
Conclusion
Given that ARGA is not going to be set up until 2023 at the earliest, we pressed the Department on what would happen in the interim. The Department acknowledged that it would take time to establish ARGA, and that doing so would require legislation.46 It accepted the importance of having stronger system leadership during the transition to establishing ARGA. The Department reported that, in the interim, it would chair a liaison committee to bring responsible bodies together. It recognised the need to take actions that would have the greatest impact quickly, and to tackle immediate issues, such as consultation on changes to regulations that set audit fees.47
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: by end of 2021 5.2 The government recognises the need for effective system leadership now. The department’s Spring Update set out the responsibilities the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA) will have as system leader for local audit and the governance mechanisms which BEIS has been consulting on for the new regulator. The department committed then to a publish a public consultation on the details for Summer 2021 recess and signalled that MHCLG would assume a stronger leadership role in the interim before ARGA is established. 5.3 MHCLG has already established the Liaison Committee, a senior stakeholder forum – as recommended by Sir Tony Redmond to consider systemic issues – with MHCLG as chair while ARGA is being established. An inaugural meeting was held on 29 July 2021 to discuss the develop of the next procurement strategy, and meeting minutes will be published in due course, with a further meeting in September 2021. 5.4 The department’s summer consultation reflects further work MHCLG has already conducted with BEIS and FRC on governance and delivery. It has been agreed with BEIS that MHCLG’s Secretary of State will send a discrete Remit letter to ARGA and that ARGA’s annual report will have a standing, distinct local audit section – the government is consulting on the scope of this. This also outlines that FRC will establish interim arrangements from April 2022 to ensure a smooth and timely implementation. Finally, NAO has been liaising with FRC on the range of activities it conducts around the Code of Local Audit to assist with planning for the transfer of the Code to ARGA as system leader. 5.5 Given views are currently being sought from stakeholders on the proposals ahead of a consultation deadline of 22 September 2021, it is proposed to provide a high-level update in September 2021 and will also consider these points as the department develops its response to that consultation later in the year.