Somerset ‘failing to set realistic savings targets’
0Somerset County Council’s medium-term financial planning for savings is unsupported by realistic assumptions and information, according to auditors. A report by South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) said that the issue provided a high risk to the authority.
It said ownership of savings targets is insufficiently understood or embedded in the organisation, resulting in a failure to deliver savings plans.
Somerset reports through a system of labelling the likelihood of making savings with what it calls a “RAG” assessment process (red, amber and green).
The report on the council’s 2017–18 finances said: “There is little evidence of systematic challenge, or review of savings considered unlikely to be achieved, and this is demonstrated by an increasing number of savings considered ‘red’ between quarter one and quarter three.”
It added that reported savings are often in services areas which report an overall budget overspend.
In a separate report, senior council officers said there is a very high risk that the council will be unable to maintain a sustainable budget.
