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South West Audit Partnership Big text

In 2004, a number of the local authorities in Somerset decided to review their arrangements for the delivery of internal audit. There were several drivers for this review, including:-

A wider recognition that partnerships, for particular services, can provide the most cost effective and viable solution. The difficulty, nationally, in recruiting experienced internal auditors. The difficulty in small Councils affording specialist audit skills, such as IT and Contract Auditors. The Efficiencies Agenda clearly setting out the Government's vision for local authorities to be working together to provide more efficient and effective services. Since the partnership came into being in April 2005, twelve local authorities have joined including all the councils of Somerset, Wiltshire Council, three councils in Dorset, one in Gloucestershire and one in Devon. With one exception, SWAP staff are located permanently at all partner sites.