Issue - meetings

The Shared Internal Audit Service submitted a report setting out a proposed Internal Audit Plan for 2015/16.  Members were reminded that the SIAS Audit Charter, presented to an earlier meeting of Audit Committee, explained how the Council and SIAS should work together to provide a modern and effective internal audit service.  It was noted that the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) required that the audit plan be linked to a strategic or high-level statement which:

·        outlined how the service would be developed in accordance with the internal audit charter;

·        detailed how the internal audit plan would be delivered; and

·        evidenced how the service linked to organisational objectives and priorities. 

The Chairman referred to the inclusion of Cemeteries and how the Authority met its statutory obligations in this area.  He stated that, as cemeteries were not within the Committee’s remit it should be removed and that Parish Councils should be reminded of their role in this regard.  This was supported.

In response to a query by Councillor D Andrews in relation to Members’ Allowances, the Director of Finance and Support Services explained that the payroll processing of Members’ Allowances  had not been audited for some time, alongside staff expenses and these had been included in the Internal Audit Plan for 2015/16.

          RESOLVED – that the Internal Audit Plan for          2015/16, as amended and as now submitted, be approved.