2007-2008 - Annual Audit and Inspection Letter - Barrow in Furness BC v1.0

Annual Audit and Inspection Letter Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council Audit 2008-2009 March 2009 Key messages Contents Key messages 3 Purpose, responsibilities and scope 5 How is Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council performing? 6 The audit of the accounts and value for money 13 Looking ahead 15 Closing remarks 16 Status of our reports The Statement of Responsibilities of Auditors and Audited Bodies issued by the Audit Commission explains the respective responsibilities of auditors and of the audited body. Reports prepared by appointed auditors are addressed to non-executive directors/members or officers. They are prepared for the sole use of the audited body. Auditors accept no responsibility to: • any director/member or officer in their individual capacity; or • any third party. Key messages Key messages 1 During 2007/08 the Council has improved services in areas that it has identified as key priorities. This includes supporting economic regeneration, housing market renewal, tackling worklessness, street cleanliness and environmental improvements and facilities and activities for young people. The Council's overall rate of improvement in the last year was slightly below average compared to other councils. 2 A Benefits Service inspection undertaken by the Audit Commission in 2008 found that the service was poor with poor prospects for improvement. The Council needs to focus on improving the performance of the Benefits Service to ...