Chapter 29:15 URBAN COUNCILS ACT (4) Whenever the Minister considers it appropriate he may, after consultation with the council, appoint a person designated by the Urban Development Corporation established by the Urban Development Corporation Act [Chapter 29:16]— (a) to act jointly with the auditor appointed in terms of subsection (1) or (3) in the audit of the council’s accounts; or (b) to audit the council’s accounts, in which case subsections (1) and (3) shall not apply to the council. 305 Council’s duties and production of accounts to auditor For the purpose of an audit, the council shall— (a) cause to be produced to the auditor all relevant books, papers, writings and minute books in its possession; and (b) not later than one hundred and twenty days after the end of each financial year or such later date as the Minister may approve, cause the accounts of the council to be balanced to the end of such financial year and to lay before the auditor the balance sheets and accounts referred to in section two hundred and eighty-six. 306 Auditor’s duties and auditor’s report (1) The auditor shall have power at any time and without notice to make an examination of any records and assets of the council. (2) In the exercise of his powers and duties under this Act the auditor may— (a) call upon any councillor or employee of the council for any explanations and information he may require in order to enable him to discharge his duties and such persons shall, to the best of their knowledge, provide the explanations and information called for; (b) make an interim or special report, in which case a copy thereof shall be submitted by the council to the Minister. (3) The auditor shall, not later than sixty days after the receipt of the accounts referred to in paragraph (b) of section three hundred and five or such later date as the Minister may approve, make a report in writing— (a) which shall contain statements as to whether, in his opinion, the balance sheets and accounts reflect a true and fair view of the financial position of the council and its transactions and of the results of its trading; and (b) in which attention is drawn to— (i) any material loss or deficiency, whether resulting from the misconduct of or misappropriation by any person or otherwise; or (ii) any other matter arising out of the audit which he considers to be of importance or special interest. (4) If, in the opinion of the auditor in so far as it appears from his examination of the accounts and records— (a) proper books and records have not been kept; or (b) any significant expenditure brought to charge in the accounts is not supported by sufficient vouchers, authority or, if paid, proof of payment; or (c) any expenditure incurred by the council has not been provided for in duly approved estimates or supplementary estimates; or (d) reasonable precautions have not been taken to safeguard the assets of the council and to ensure the collection of all moneys due to it; or (e) separate funds or accounts required by or in terms of this Act or any other law have not been kept; or (f) payments due in respect of moneys borrowed, including moneys borrowed on bank overdraft, have not been made on due date; or (g) adequate provision has not been made for the repayment of loans as provided for in section two hundred and ninety-five or the provisions of this Part relating to loans have not been complied with; or (h) any provision of this Act or any other law relating to the transactions of the council as disclosed in its accounts and records have not been complied with; or 124