Audit report confirms council providing value for money

External auditors have once again given Darlington Borough Council a clean bill of financial health. An annual report from external auditors Ernst and Young LLP will be presented to councillors in January. The report confirms the council’s accounts are in order and proper arrangements are in place ensuring residents are getting value for money.

Councillor Stephen Harker, Leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “This is a very important confirmation of what we already know – that we are a well-managed Value for Money council.

“I am very keen to highlight this, as our 2018 Community Survey showed that many people didn’t feel that the council provides that value for money.

“That is understandable, given the reductions in services we have had to make in recent years, as a result of the Government’s austerity agenda, which has seen our income cut by tens of millions of pounds.

“So I am very pleased to receive this clean bill of health against that backdrop of reducing income from Government.

“Being careful with money over recent years has enabled us to create our Futures Fund, putting investment back into areas you have told us are important to you, such as Street Scene and the town centre.”

The auditors’ report will be presented to a meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday 8 January at 5pm. The agenda and reports for the meeting can be found here.