2008-2009 - Annual Audit Letter - National Probation Service - South Yor

Annual Audit Letter National Probation Service - South Yorkshire Audit 2008/09 October 2009 Contents Introduction 3 Key messages 4 Financial statements and annual governance statement 6 Value for money conclusion 8 Closing remarks 10 Appendix 1 – Value for money conclusion 11 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. Introduction Introduction 1 Our audit has been conducted against a background of difficult economic conditions and at a time of major organisational change for the probation service. Economic downturn 2 The economic downturn and banking crisis is having a very significant impact on public finances and the bodies that manage them. The local effect of these changes is most pronounced in the reduction to future funding levels which has required a fundamental review of organisational arrangements. 3 Although the effect of these changes will impact on 2009/10 and later years the need to identify significant workforce reductions arose in 2008/09 and a material financial provision was necessary ...