Significant progress made to meet auditor’s recommendations
Published Wednesday, 21st January 2026
Pendle Borough Council is addressing a number of recommendations highlighted in the external auditor’s interim annual report for 2024/25.
The report issued by Grant Thornton in January 2026 advised that the Council should continue to strengthen some areas within its financial and governance arrangements. 
This includes financial sustainability, decision making in relation to planning and improving governance of its joint venture partnerships.
The report will be discussed by councillors at Accounts and Audit Committee on Tuesday 27 January.
Dean Langton, Chief Executive of Pendle Borough Council, said: “We welcome the Interim Auditor’s Annual Report which focuses on 2024/25 but also looks back on previous years.
“It has highlighted four key recommendations which we’re addressing as a priority and improvements will be fully implemented during this financial year.”
As part of the budget setting process, work is ongoing to close the medium-term gap without relying on reserves as 2026/27 remains a challenge.
In response to planning, an independent legal review was commissioned to look at the consistency, costs and efficiency of the Council’s planning process with the resulting recommendations being fully accepted by the Council in December 2025.
This will ensure the Council has the best system in place to ensure decisions are made across the borough.
The Council also engaged an independent legal advisor to review the relationships and governance of its joint venture companies and has implemented the resulting recommendations.
It has also made significant progress in addressing the weaknesses identified in the Council’s information governance processes.
Councillor David Whipp, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased to note that we have already made significant progress against each of the key recommendations.
“By addressing the issues identified in the auditor’s report we’ll be able to continue to deliver the best services we can with the resources we have.
“Our joint venture companies have had some fantastic outcomes, such as the Northlight development in Brierfield, and we look forward to continuing to regenerate Pendle with our partners.”