Issue - meetings

The  Senior Internal Audit Manager presented the report which provided summary information on all Internal Audit work covered in relation to the 2016/17 Quarter 1, together with assurance levels in this respect.

Members were informed that since the last progress report, 16 assurance reviews had been completed to final report stage and 8 consultancy reviews had been finalised.

Reference was made to two pieces of consultancy work relating to work around the Council's stores at Harlington Road Depot and two reviews on Children & Young People's Services financial control operations and a review of each of the incentive schemes provided by the Council to private landlords.

Reference was made to the deferral of the Internal Audit review into the Management and Control of Void Dwellings and the Committee was informed that this had been deferred because of the structure changes within the service. Management would be given sufficient time to review current working practices and to address known weaknesses within the service.

Reference was made to officers giving consideration to providing a risk score to deferred Internal Audit reviews.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the Internal Audit progress report for 2016/17 Quarter 1 be noted and approval be given to the Quarter 2 Internal Audit Plan for 2016/17.

2.   That the Committee noted that the coverage, performance and results of Business Assurance Internal Audit activity within this quarter. 

The Head of Business Assurance presented the report which provided summary information on all Internal Audit work covered in relation to the 2015/16 Internal Audit Plan Quarter 4, together with assurance levels in this respect.

Members were informed that 4 out of the 7 assurance audits which had been finalised this quarter had received a limited assurance opinion which was in line with the risk based approach taken by Business Assurance. Outstanding Internal Audit recommendations were down to just 2%.

Reference was made to the consultancy and advisory work which had been carried out, and particular mention was made of the work carried out with the Home to School Transport Team and the assistance given to the Council's Corporate Fraud and Investigation Team on the Single Persons Discount scheme.

In relation to Key Performance Indicators (KPI), the service was currently exceeding several KPI targets, with KPI 8 Client Satisfaction Rating, receiving positive feedback.

 RESOLVED –

1.    That the Internal Audit progress report for 2015/16 Quarter 4 be noted and approval be given to the Internal Audit Plan for Quarter 1 2016/17.

2.   That the coverage, performance and results of the   Internal Audit activity in Quarter 4 be noted.