Meeting documents

No apologies were received.

No apologies were received.

Details of Members’ interests in District, Town and Parish Councils can be viewed on the Council’s website at https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=399&MId=1106&Ver=4 and this will also be displayed in the meeting room (where relevant).

The Statutory Register of Member’s Interests can be inspected via request to the Democratic Service team.

The Chair of the Committee noted the details of all Councillors interests already declared in District, Town and Parish Councils.

Councillors Caswell, Leyshon and Lewis declared personal interest as recipients of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Chair of the Committee noted the details of all Councillors interests already declared in District, Town and Parish Councils.

Councillors Caswell, Leyshon and Lewis declared personal interest as recipients of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Committee is asked to confirm the minutes are accurate.

The Audit Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th January 2020 were accurate, and the Chair signed them.

The Audit Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th January 2020 were accurate, and the Chair signed them.

The Chairman will allow members of the public to present a petition on any matter within the Committee’s remit. Questions or statements about any matter on the agenda for this meeting will be taken at the time when each matter is considered.

No questions or statements were received by the PQT deadline of 5pm on Friday 12 June.

A response would be provided in writing to the late submission provided by Mr Pope.

No questions or statements were received by the PQT deadline of 5pm on Friday 12 June.

A response would be provided in writing to the late submission provided by Mr Pope.

To consider these reports: theSomerset County Council and Somerset Pension Fund – Updated Audit Plans; the Audit Scope Letter Somerset County Council and Somerset Pension Fund 2019-20; the Updated Audit Scope Letter for Somerset County Council and Somerset Pension Fund 2019-20; and the completed risk assessments for Somerset County Council and SCC Pension Fund.

Barrie Morris and David Johnson presented the report and summary and findings detailed below:-

The External Audit Update was provided and included the LGPS Audit Plan, Audit Scope Letter, for the Somerset Pension Fund and the Audit Risk Assessment appended to the Grant Thornton Report.

The Committee noted the report.  ...  view the full decision text for item 186.

Barrie Morris and David Johnson presented the report and summary and findings detailed below:-

The External Audit Update was provided and included the LGPS Audit Plan, Audit Scope Letter, for the Somerset Pension Fund and the Audit Risk Assessment appended to the Grant Thornton Report.

Debate

·         Sustainable resource deployment risks  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186.

The Audit Plan and Charter was presented to the Committee which set out the summary of the internal Audit Plan, the approach to audit planning 2020/21, Coverage and Risk Assessment.

The purpose of the Audit Charter was to set out the nature, role, responsibility, status and authority of internal auditing  ...  view the full decision text for item 187.

The Audit Plan and Charter was presented to the Committee which set out the summary of the internal Audit Plan, the approach to audit planning 2020/21, Coverage and Risk Assessment.

The purpose of the Audit Charter set out the nature, role, responsibility, status and authority of internal auditing within Somerset  ...  view the full minutes text for item 187.

The Audit Committee noted the Internal Audit Opinion for 2019/20, the partial assurance audits, and the management actions undertaken. 

Debate

· Concerns were expressed around the planned change to the internal audit plan following recent SEND review.

· The committee requested to reinstate the audit on casework and data management, this was in plan that had been looked at.

· Focus on Education health and care plan reviews, an ongoing commitment had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 188.

The Finance Director presented the report.

At the September 2019 Audit Committee meeting, the external auditor, Grant Thornton, presented several recommendations for improvement in value for money (VFM) as part of their 2018/19 overall annual Audit Findings Report. Despite an improved position from an adverse opinion in 2017/18 to a  ...  view the full decision text for item 189.

The Finance Director presented the report:-

At the September 2019 Audit Committee the external auditor, Grant Thornton, presented several recommendations for improvement in value for money (VFM) as part of their 2018/19 overall annual Audit Findings Report. Despite an improved position from an adverse opinion in 2017/18 to a ‘qualified,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report.

This report invited members of the Audit Committee to consider the attached draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2019/20 for the County Council. Subject to members’ comments, this will then be signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, and the Statement  ...  view the full decision text for item 190.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report.

This report invited members of the Audit Committee to consider the attached draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2019/20 for the County Council. Subject to members’ comments, this will then be signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, and the Statement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

The report reviewed the recovery of outstanding debts (monies owed to the council) and the current performance. The analysis below is based on the total of annual debt raised, which is between £120 - £135m. The monthly outstanding debt can range between £7-20m.

The achievement of good performance in this  ...  view the full decision text for item 191.

The report reviewed the recovery of outstanding debts (monies owed to the council) and the current performance. The analysis below is based on the total of annual debt raised, which is between £120 - £135m. The monthly outstanding debt can range between £7-20m.

The achievement of good performance in this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 191.

To consider this report

Members of the Committee were reminded that on Thursday 30 July a briefing session would be scheduled for elected members on this year’s Statement of Accounts.

The Committee noted the workplan that listed future agenda items and reports for the next meeting on 24 August 2020, and the workplan was  ...  view the full decision text for item 192.

The Committee noted the workplan that listed future agenda items and reports for the next meeting on 24 August 2020, and the workplan was accepted.

Members of the Committee were reminded that on Thursday 30 July a briefing session would be scheduled for elected members on this year’s Statement of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 192.

The Chair may raise any items of urgent business.

There were no other items of business.

There were no other items of business.