Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of Finance

Purpose of report

The report presents the Internal Audit progress report for 2023/24. Since the last update to the September 2023 meeting of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee three audits have now been finalised: Climate, Revenues & Benefits IT Applications, and Business Continuity. The executive summaries from these audits are included within this report.

The implementation status of previously agreed management actions continues to be positive across the organisation, with good rates of implementation and evidence that other actions are being actively progressed.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the progress with the 2023/24 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits.

Resolved

(1)       That the Internal Audit Progress Report 2023/24 report be noted.

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director – Finance which provided an update on Internal Audit progress since September 2023.

Three audits had been finalised since the last update, relating to Climate, Revenues and Benefits IT Applications and Business Continuity.

The implementation status of previously agreed management actions continued to be positive across the organisation, with good rates of implementation and evidence that other actions were being actively progressed.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance Councillor Adam Nell congratulated Internal Audit on their progress, and thanked Councillors Pratt and Ford who had been interviewed during the completed audits.

In response to a question from Independent Person Harry Lawson regarding future Internal Audit arrangements at the conclusion of the existing contract, the Assistant Director – Finance advised that discussions were ongoing and he was confident a new provider and contract would be in place for 1 May 2024.

Resolved

(1)      That the Internal Audit Progress Report 2023/24 report be noted.