Agenda item

The Chief Financial Officer outlined the report and noted that its format and content had been updated on the basis of the comments made by Members at the previous Committee meeting. He added that the figures given for the final two years of the plan were indicative only and were subject to change.

Tim Ridout first discussed the progress report for 2013/14. He noted that the internal audit team was working in accordance with the original plan and expected to complete on time. He further noted that there were no items of particular concern and added that of 106 recommendations carried forward only 20 remain to be completed, details of which were set out in the report.

Members thanked Tim Ridout for his work on simplifying the report.

A question was asked as to why the implementation date for Disabled Facilities Grant recommendations had been extended so significantly. The Chair confirmed that this was a very complex matter so what seemed like a long time to complete the recommendation was not in reality.

Members queried why in-house options were being considered to bring Disabled Facilities Grants and Council stock adaptations under one umbrella and it was noted that this was intended to improve the services and make them more consistent and efficient.

A question was asked as to why a consideration of public health issues does not figure in the pest control service review and the Chair confirmed that the duty of the Council was simply to signpost residents to ensure that the problem is dealt with, not to run a service itself.

It was confirmed that the software supplier’s reports would be completed before the end of April. It was also confirmed that the new IT software package for risk management was intended as a measure to help embed it.

Tim Ridout went on to discuss the audit plan for 2014-2017. He noted that the internal audit standards required the Council to put into place an indicative plan for the following two years, but that this will obviously need to be reviewed closer to the time.

He added that the plan aimed to put provisions in place to look at targeted work on fraud detention and prevention and to give assurance in the Council’s counter-fraud arrangements. It would also look at strategic procurement, value for money on shared services and front line services, which are considered most important to the Council.

Members requested that some time be spent on carrying out an audit of the partnership working and funding, as it was recognised that some of this funding and partnership working was likely to change and possibly even finish in the future. It was also requested that this should include a value for money exercise to determine whether work could have been done more effectively.

RESOLVED: That Members:

(1)  Noted the content of the progress report for 2013/14;

(2)  Approved the Audit Plan and noted that the Plans for 2015/16 and 2016/17 are indicative at this stage and the days that are allocated to each audit for these future years may change following the reviews in 2014/15; and

(3)  Requested that an audit of the partnership working and funding arrangements was carried out.