National Highways Knight Frank L&P 2021-22

We are engaging an auditor's expert to assist in auditing the detailed valuations underpinning the National Highways land and property provision. The specific work required is as follows:

• Review of VOA's methodology for calculating the land and property liabilities and confirmation that this is in line with the Compensation Code.
• Review of a sample of 5 valuations supporting land and property provisions to assess whether, based on the information provided in the detailed valuation, the key assumptions and judgements are materially consistent with the Compensation Code. In terms of providing a reasonable estimate for valuation on the anticipated forecast outturn cost to settle compensation. This should also confirm that the area of land included in the liability is appropriate. These valuations will, depending on sample selection, cover multiple properties (e.g. where they cover the acquisition area for a whole road scheme) and so some degree of consideration of items contributing to the overall valuation may be necessary in these larger samples, as opposed to them being tightly restricted to a single property. Regardless of item size, we would in each case be looking for the auditor's expert to assess the material reasonableness of the valuation in question. In the prior year, a review of 5 valuations were reviewed by our auditor's expert; this review will focus attention on a different sample of 5 land and property valuations. The initial contract period shall be to the end of the final audit period (July 2022), with an option to extend to cover subsequent audit cycles at the NAO's discretion.