Issue - meetings

The Shared Internal Audit Services (SIAS) submitted a report setting out the progress made in delivering the Council’s Annual Audit Plan for 2017/18 and on performance management information (as at 8 September 2017).

The SIAS Officer provided a summary of the report.  In response to a query by Councillor P Ruffles, regarding the introduction of items onto the Audit Plan, the SIAS Officer explained how the process worked, including working with Heads of Service to highlight key areas of risk.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained that she had been liaising with SIAS on the issue of future plans and that she would prefer that the next Audit Plan start from a “zero” position and would be reviewing the Council’s risk profile.

Councillor P Ruffles sought and was provided with clarification by the Head of Strategic Finance and Property on the issue of the removal of the risk management plan from the Audit Plan. 

Councillor P Boylan expressed concern regarding the Performance Management statistics and commented that it was not until a report was presented to Members with quarter three figures before Members became aware of possible issues of concern.  He asked for assurances that more frequent reporting be put in place.  The SIAS Officer commented that he would be happy to write to Members with information and was confident that Internal Audit would meet the targets as set out in the Audit Plan.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property agreed to present a short report to the next meeting.

Members of Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee noted the Internal Audit Progress report and the status of high priority recommendations.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Internal Audit progress report and amendments to the Audit Plan as at 8 September 2017 as now submitted, be noted; and

(B)   the status of high priority recommendations be noted.