AN auditor has moved to reassure residents it expects to ‘reach a resolution soon’ following huge delays to the council’s accounts being signed off.

The authority failed to sign off its 2017-18 statement of accounts before last year’s July 31 deadline due to a valid objection questioning whether its investment into Redwood Bank was legal.

Penketh resident Chris Haggett, a retired chartered public finance accountant, lodged the objection.

Mr Haggett confirmed he has been in contact with Grant Thornton director Robin Baker, who is based at the office leading the investigation on the matter.

The resident says, on June 21, Mr Baker confirmed he has completed ‘initial enquiries’ and was ‘preparing to share provisional views’ with him, as well as the council.

“After investigating the objection for over a year, only initial enquiries have been completed,” said Mr Haggett.

“This is totally unacceptable in view of the importance of the subject matter.

“After Mr Baker eventually provides his views, there will be a lengthy consultation process before the matter is finally decided and WBC’s accounts for 2017-18 can be signed off.

“They are already a year late – I fear we might be waiting a further year at the rate we are going.”

Grant Thornton UK LLP has issued a statement on the matter.

A spokesman said: “We have a commitment and a responsibility to maintain the highest professional standards in our work.

“The audit for 2017-18 is a complex and unique matter and we expect to reach a resolution soon.

“As a result, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

Town Hall chiefs have also commented on the issue.

A council spokesman said: “This matter remains with the external auditors who are committed to dealing with the objection to the accounts in line with the required process.

“There is currently no date identified for the accounts to be presented to the council’s audit and corporate governance committee.

“We will continue to monitor progress and provide an update at the earliest opportunity once the matter is concluded.”

Furthermore, Warrington South Tory candidate Andy Carter has welcomed news that there is to be an independent review of local authority financial reporting and auditing.

The review, announced by secretary of state for housing and local government James Brokenshire, will look at the quality of council audits and whether they are highlighting when a public body is in financial trouble early enough.

Mr Carter said: “I’m aware that the 2017-18 Warrington Borough Council accounts have still not be signed off by their auditor, Grant Thornton, following a valid public objection to the accounts and there still appears to be no timescale for delivering them.

“This isn’t good for public scrutiny.

“Local authorities are responsible for almost a quarter of all UK public sector expenditure so we should expect a high quality and transparent system for reporting their accounts.

“As some councils decide to extend their activities into commercial investment schemes, which in Warrington’s case now involves in excess of £1 billion of public debt, we must also ensure there is a high level of challenge from their external auditor and efficient reporting to maintain public confidence.”