Agenda item

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

56.1     The Head of Assurance introduced the report and outlined that there were no audit findings below partial insurance, with the exception of some of the schools based audits. There was only one audit below substantial assurance, which was the Schools Themed Review of Federations and Partnerships. Results from the risk and random sample based schools audit work carried out by the Internal Audit Team and Mazars, appear to show an improving picture following the training carried out during the year. There has been some slippage in the delivery of planned audit work due to the level of investigations undertaken and vacancies within the Team. However, the Head of Assurance is confident that the Team will achieve all the work necessary to produce an assurance opinion at the end of the year.

Schools Themed Review of Federations and Partnerships.

56.2     The Assistant Director, Education & ISEND and the Senior Manager, Places and Participation outlined the background to the development of federations and partnerships, which have been part of plans for school improvement for a number of years.  This approach has been developed to address a number of challenges faced by schools, such as school leadership, pressure on budgets and the sharing of expertise. As part of this strategy, criteria have been developed to identify schools which would be benefit from federations and partnerships. As this approach is now being promoted for smaller schools, the Internal Audit Team were invited to examine how the model being used responds to leadership and other challenges.

56.3     The Committee asked what weaknesses had been identified by the review.  The Assistant Director, Education & ISEND explained that the partial assurance conclusion related to supporting schools into federations, rather than the model itself (e.g. follow up work and business planning and visioning). The department is putting business planning training in place to help schools take the most advantage of this arrangement, and articulate a strategic vision for the federation. The Head of Assurance added that when federations are formed, there should be a clear strategy for why the schools are doing this backed by business planning.

56.4     The Committee asked how the Council is generating best practice and best value for financial practices as part of this approach. The Assistant Director, Education & ISEND explained that when developing the model, the department looked at best practice from other local authorities and worked with Devon County Council to develop a range of resources on C-zone section of the Council’s web site to support the process. It has also led a number of sessions with speakers from other federations outside East Sussex to share best practice. The department can also follow up the point made by the Committee on financial best value.

56.5     The Committee thanked the Assistant Director, Education & ISEND and the Senior Manager, Places and Participation and asked that the audit be brought to the attention of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee as it may be of interest to them.

56.6     The Committee RESOLVED to note the report.