Authority in 'disappointing' audit setback

TVCA accounts are to be disclaimed yet again, in spite of hopes that the organisation would be getting back on track by now.

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter

The confirmation came at the Tees Valley Combined Authority audit and governance meeting, held on Thursday, September 18. The committee was inquorate due to low attendance, however a meeting was still held on an informal basis.

During the discussion, it became clear that work was still ongoing in regards to the accounts from 2023/24. Work on these accounts should have been concluded by the authority and then the auditors by the end of February 2025.

Auditor Ernst & Young (EY) previously sent a letter to TVCA in April this year, highlighting numerous problems caused by the combined authority in relation to the 2023/24 accounts. Three statutory recommendations were made which were "fully" accepted by chief executive Tom Bryant.