The Northern Ireland Audit Office are calling for evidence to be submitted in relation to land disposals and easements and related asset management policies and procedures at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

In November 2020, the Minister for Communities directed the Local Government Auditor to hold an extraordinary audit of the accounts of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council concentrating on land disposals and easements and related asset management policies and procedures. 

The scope of the audit and agreed terms of reference can be found at: www.niauditoffice.gov.uk/publications/extraordinary-audit-causeway-coast-and-glens-borough-council

The purpose of this extraordinary audit is to carry out an independent audit and report to the Department for Communities on the following:

Provide an overview of land disposals and easements and related asset management policies and procedures within this Council.
Conclude on the adherence to statutory and other requirements by the Council for land disposals and easements.
Consider any issues where expected procedures and good practice have been breached.
Make recommendations for improvement.

Who is this call for evidence aimed at?

Whilst it is likely the evidence obtained will primarily be from documentation held by the Council we will also consider evidence brought from other sources. It is important that where evidence is to be considered it is able to be corroborated. Anecdotal or hearsay evidence is not sufficient unless it can be corroborated by another reliable source of evidence.

This call for evidence is aimed at individuals and organisations who can provide evidenced information which is relevant to the purpose and scope of the extraordinary audit. Those responding should ensure the evidence is able to be corroborated and is both factual and truthful and relates to disposals and easements that have been contracted by the Council since 1 April 2015.

How do I respond to this call for evidence?

When responding, please ensure that you include relevant contact details as we may wish to contact you to discuss your submission. Please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing an organisation. We will acknowledge all responses to this call for evidence using the supplied contact details.

Written submissions should be sent electronically in Word format (not PDF) to: extraordinaryaudit2021@niauditoffice.gov.uk

If you cannot submit electronically you may send in a hard copy written submission to:

Mrs Colette Kane

Northern Ireland Audit Office

1 Bradford Court

Belfast

BT8 6RB

Organisations or individuals responding to this call for evidence should read the NIAO privacy notice at: www.niauditoffice.gov.uk/niao-privacy-notice.  This notice tells you how we process your personal data.

The closing date for written submissions is 25 May 2021.

Any Questions?

If you have any queries about this call for evidence or how to prepare a submission, please contact us through the email address extraordinaryaudit2021@niauditoffice.gov.uk or in writing to the address above.