Meeting documents

Details of all Members’ interests in District, Town and Parish Councils can be viewed on the Council Website at

County Councillors membership of Town, City, Parish or District Councils and this will 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.

There were no new declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm that the minutes are accurate.

The Audit Committee:

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2021 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.

The Chair informed the meeting that no questions or statements from the public were received by the PQT deadline of 5:00 pm on Wednesday 24 November 2021.

The regular progress report from SWAP on the completion of the current Internal Audit Plan, highlighting any risks.

The Chair invited the Assistant Director of SWAP to present the progress update for November, which focused on high-risk areas and limited assurance.  Some reports have been finalised and more will be finalised in January 2022, while SWAP is on track to deliver the scheduled audit work.

The Audit Committee:  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

To consider the matters raised in Grant Thornton’s Audit Findings Report, approve the Pension Fund Accounts, and approve the Letter of Representation.

The Chair invited the Key Audit Partner of Grant Thornton to present the Audit Findings Report for the Somerset Pension Fund; this was an update to the report which was first presented in September.  There was only one change which was highlighted in Appendix A.  The Key Audit Partner also  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

To consider the matters raised in Grant Thornton’s Audit Findings Report, approve the updated Annual Governance Statement, approve the Council’s audited Statement of Accounts, and approve the Letter of Representation.

The Chair invited the Key Audit Partner of Grant Thornton to present the Audit Findings Report for Somerset County Council.  He confirmed that the audit has been completed and they will soon be able to issue the audit opinion. 

The Audit Committee:

·         Considered and commented on the reports

·         Noted the  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

To consider a report and proposal regarding the national auditor appointment arrangements.

The Chair invited the Director of Finance and Governance to present the report, which noted that the Council has, along with all Somerset local authorities, been invited to take part in the national auditor appointment arrangements established by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) for the period covering 2018/19 to 2022/23.  ...  view the full decision text for item 8.

To receive an update report on the recruitment of an independent member for the Audit Committee.

The Chair invited the Governance Specialist-Democratic Services to present the report from the Monitoring Officer following the recommendation within the Redmond Review related to the appointment of at least one independent member, suitably qualified but not a County, District or Parish Councillor, to the Audit Committee.  This appointee will act  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

To consider the current work programme for future meetings and receive any suggestions for additional items.

The Audit Committee:

Noted the Work Programme that listed future agenda items and reports.

The Chair may raise any items of urgent business.

There were no other items of business.