A Northamptonshire council has raised significant concerns within the Children’s Trust (NCT), as the service continues to put a strain on finances.
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) reviewed the NCT’s annual report for 2022-23 at an executive meeting last week (November 16). Councillors highlighted concerns about the assurances provided by internal auditors which have predicted better service outcomes than in reality.
The role of internal audit is to ensure the achievement of the organisation’s objectives and an overall opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation’s risk management, control, and governance processes. The trust oversees children’s services across both Northamptonshire authorities and is currently forecasting a £21m overspend for the financial year- £9.5m of this will fall to North Northants.
READ MORE: Village school to move into new Wellingborough housing estate after ‘initial outrage’
Councillor Andrew Weatherill, chair of NNC’s audit and governance committee, said that in 2021-22 when the joint service first began, there was “virtually nothing done” in terms of auditing reports. The council later received limited coverage after the…
