Somerset Council will meet later this month to consider steps being taken to address three statutory recommendations made by auditors.
The recommendations are included in the Auditor’s Annual Report, published ahead of Audit Committee on 9 December, which is a summary of work by Grant Thornton, the council’s external auditor, during 2024/25.
A statutory recommendation is a formal, legally binding recommendation to address significant issues and must be considered publicly by Full Council.
The first two recommendations are continued from 2023/24 and relate to the council’s work to develop a sustainable budget and the need for robust transformation plans.
In response, the Council has highlighted the work being done in response to the financial emergency and the progress being made to move towards financial sustainability. The Council is now working with a strategic transformation partner to develop a clear and deliverable plan to provide services in different ways and at a lower cost.
Cllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council, said:
We take the findings of the independent audit very seriously and are already taking actions to address the issues identified here which relate to the 2024/25 financial year.
While it is disappointing the two statutory recommendations from 2023/24 have been extended, we have made significant progress with both our budget setting and transformation programmes. We have saved more than £50m in our first two years as a unitary council – far more than the savings target of £18.5m over three years set out in the business case for Local Government Reorganisation.
Both programmes are key to our sustainability in the future and we are confident we have a clear plan and are moving in the right direction.
The third recommendation is new and concerns governance of projects where the Council acts as an accountable body. The Council accepts the previous arrangements were not robust enough and is reviewing other projects while completing a comprehensive lesson learned exercise.
Duncan Sharkey, Chief Executive of Somerset Council, said:
On the third recommendation relating to the Council’s role as accountable body for projects such as the Life Factory, part of the Glastonbury Town Deal, we recognise the failings in the past and are taking action to protect public funds and manage risks for the local community.
We have already shared details with Avon and Somerset Police earlier this year regarding matters related to the project and we are continuing to cooperate with them. We cannot share further detail at this stage to ensure due process is followed.
The report can be viewed on the Council’s website.
