Council audit finds 'significant weaknesses'

Councillors will be presented with details of the audit later this month

A council said it takes correcting "significant weaknesses" found in its governance and procurement processes "extremely seriously".

Dorset Council said it had drawn the problems to the attention of its auditor Grant Thornton itself.

The auditor said while the investigation into what happened is still incomplete, it has enough information to know the issues were serious.

The authority's councillors who sit on its audit and governance committee will be presented with a report at County Hall in Dorchester on 24 February.

It is expected the final report outlining the problems will be presented within the next few months.

"Our commitment to transparency ensures that the investigation's findings will be made publicly available," the council said in a statement published on its website.

"Councillors will thoroughly review the recommendations and take the necessary steps to address the identified issues, ensuring good governance and accountability."

Grant Thornton also identified "significant weakness" in the way its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) has been managed, but recognised "this situation is unsustainable nationally and locally".