Meeting documents

To consider the report.

The Vice Chair invited the Assistant Director of SWAP to present the regular internal audit report, which she noted was the first progress report of 2021/22, presented in an updated format to reflect the increasing complexity and volume of audit reporting. The key information for Members was highlighted, and it was explained that reports would now have standardised reporting on limited assurance audits, as well as follow-up audits, including summaries of the recommendations and their priority rating.

The Vice Chair invited questions from the Committee, and during the consideration of the reports issues/concerns were raised, questions were asked/answered, and further information provided

The Audit Committee:

Accepted the report.

The Vice Chair invited the Assistant Director of SWAP to present the regular internal audit report, which she noted was the first progress report of 2021/22, presented in an updated format to reflect the increasing complexity and volume of audit reporting.  The key information for Members was highlighted, and it was explained that reports would now have standardised reporting on limited assurance audits, as well as follow-up audits, including summaries of the recommendations and their priority rating. 

Attention was drawn to Page 54 that provided a key summary showing that there were three limited assurance reports and that there had been six additions to the plan, demonstrating that the internal audit had been responsive to the identified needs and changing risks of the Council.  This year SWAP had taken over the implementation of the recommendations arising from audits, and those recommendations would now form part of the progress report to each Committee meeting.  In relation to limited assurance reports, it was noted that there remained a significant number of overdue actions on which the pandemic and limited resources had slowed progress.  A summary of the implementation of recommendations would form part of the regular report so that Members could track progress made across the year, and an overview was provided of the three limited assurance reports.

The Vice Chair invited questions from the Committee, and during the consideration of the reports issues/concerns were raised, questions were asked/answered, and further information was provided:

Cllr Leyshon asked if the exclusion data provided in the report represented data from all schools in Somerset, including Academy schools; the Assistant Director of SWAP confirmed that the data was from all schools in the County. 

Cllr Filmer, reflecting on the high number of overdue actions resulting from a lack of resources and the effects of the pandemic, enquired if the necessary resources were available to remedy this; the Assistant Director of SWAP responded that all managers with outstanding recommendations had been asked for an update, and although progress was slower, she had been reassured that the work was being done.  A schedule of follow-ups would gain evidence to ensure that the recommendations had been completed.

The Committee accepted the report.