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An exciting partnership in East Kent, which is setting a leading example in partnership working for the future, was officially launched at a special meeting at Westminster on Thursday (15 March).

Chief Executives from Dover, Thanet and Shepway District Councils and the Director  of Corporate Services from Canterbury City Council, with other senior representatives of the East Kent Audit Partnership, met with Angela Smith, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and MP Gwyn Prosser at the House of Commons.  Angela Smith expressed her support of the partnership, congratulated the Councils and hoped this would set an example of collaborative working, and wished the partnership well for the future.

The East Kent Audit Partnership, which was the first of its kind in the south east, has developed from close and joint working between Internal Audit sections at Dover, Shepway and Thanet District Councils.  This has led to an agreement, which means the Internal Audit for each authority has been delegated to Dover District Council (DDC). The East Kent Audit Partnership has also been assisting in the provision of the Internal Audit function to Canterbury City Council.

Nadeem Aziz, Chief Executive at DDC, on behalf of the Partnership, said: “We were delighted to mark the launch of this important partnership at Westminster and at the support we have been given.  Dover, Shepway and Thanet District Councils are pleased to announce the formation of the East Kent Audit Partnership. This innovation in partnership working demonstrates the willingness of all three Councils to be flexible and adapt new, more efficient ways of working, as well as their commitment to working with other Councils.  Canterbury City Council is pleased to be a signatory to the protocol and is committed to the process of this shared service delivery, with the aim of becoming a full partner of the Audit Partnership in time.”

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