Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1. Noted the position of each of the three accounts and audit progress.

2. Understood the impact of the backstop dates, presenting a risk towards completing audited accounts.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Noted the current strategic risks for Somerset Council set out in Appendix One

2.     Requested an update on the risks regarding delivery of the Commercial Investment Disposal and Asset Management Strategy and Programme to be provided at the next Audit meeting.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Noted the progress made against the actions in relation to the Key Recommendations.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Noted the risks associated with the Improvement and Transformation Programme set out in Appendix A

2.     Considered whether the proposed mitigating actions are adequate and appropriate to address concerns.

3.     Requested that all elected Members are further informed on the progress and milestones of the Programme.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Noted the Internal Audit Annual Audit Opinion for 2023-24 for Somerset Council.

2.     Requested an update on the completion of actions for the Health and Safety Governance internal audit report recommendations be provided at the next Audit meeting

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.       Noted the position of the 2024-25 Internal Audit Plan and considered any significant governance, risk and control weaknesses identified.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Noted the Section 151 Officers assessment that the Council is a “going concern” and agreed that the 2023/24 statement of accounts should be prepared on that basis.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Reviewed and commented on the draft Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 (Appendix A), the Action Plan for 2024/25 and 2025/26 (Annex 1), the supporting evidence (Annexes 2, 3 and 5) and the Local Code of Corporate Governance (Annex 4).

2.     Noted that the final version of the AGS will be presented to the Audit Committee on 30 September 2024 as part of the annual Statement of Accounts 2023/24

To consider passing a resolution having been duly proposed and seconded under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting, on the basis that if they were present during the business to be transacted there would be a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information, within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Reason

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

The Audit Committee:

1.     Passed a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting on the basis that if they were present there would be a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information.

Votes: Unanimous

To consider the report.

Report received.

To consider the report.

The Audit Committee:

1.     Considered whether the content of the proposed workplan and was adequate and appropriate.