Purpose

The Cross Council Assurance Service (CCAS) is a
national framework enabling public sector
organisations—including local authorities, health bodies,
housing providers, and other eligible entities—to access
high-quality internal audit and advisory services. CCAS was
originally established in 2014 and led by the London Borough of
Islington, before ownership transferred to Barnet in April 2020.
The framework has grown significantly, with 66 organisations
(including 59 local authorities) drawing down services as of 30
September 2025.

The current framework, which commenced 1 April 2020
for a four-year term with two optional one-year extensions, is set
to end on 31 March 2026. The current framework is a single provider
framework and the suppliers appointed to this framework are PwC
(PricewaterhouseCoopers) for Internal Audit, Advisory and
Anti-Fraud (Lots 1, 2 and 4) and Mazars for Risk Management (Lot
3).

To ensure the Council can continue providing
effective internal audit and advisory services beyond 31 March
2026, Cabinet authorised on 5 February 2025 (through approval of
the Annual Procurement Forward Plan 2025/26), the procurement of a
new CCAS framework to commence by 1 April 2026. Barnet, in
consultation with the London Boroughs of Islington, Kensington
& Chelsea, Waltham Forest, and Southend-on-Sea City Council, is
leading this procurement exercise.

The new multi-supplier framework will be split into
two lots and the successful suppliers to be appointed to the
framework are:

Lot 1: Internal Audit – Forvis Mazars, KPMG
and PwC

Lot 2: Advisory Services – Forvis Mazars, KPMG
and PwC

The initial term is three years (to 31 March 2029),
with the option to extend for up to five further years (to 31 March
2034). The framework is designed to maximise flexibility,
cost-effectiveness, and innovation, and will be accessible to all
UK local authorities and a wide range of public sector
bodies.
This report seeks authorisation
for officers to enter into the new framework agreement, ensuring
Barnet and other public sector organisations can continue to
benefit from CCAS’s proven model of service delivery. The new
framework will support statutory requirements, corporate
priorities, and collaborative working, while promoting innovation
and best practice across the sector.