RBWM's end-of-year accounts delayed after 'significant' number of complaints

Approval of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's 2019/20 accounts has been delayed, following investigations into a 'high number' of complaints.

Members of the council's audit and governance committee heard how external auditors Deloitte are finalising their inspection of the council’s finances for that year.

However inspectors will have to investigate and respond to a 'significant' number of objections.

Complaints must be made by Royal Borough residents and must be submitted within a certain timeframe.

Deloitte auditor Jonathan Gooding told councillors on Thursday, February 17, they received 22 potential objections, six of which were accepted as ‘formal objections’.

While it is not known what these six potential eligible objections are, Mr Gooding said it could be matters that relate to the public interest or an item of accounts that could be unlawful.

Councillors were told it has taken time to investigate those “significant” number of complaints.