Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SHARED INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE

To receive the Internal Audit Service progress report 2024-25 of the SIAS.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

(1)   Notes the SIAS Progress Report for the period to 17 January 2025.

(2)   Notes the implementation status of the reported high priority recommendations.

(3)   Notes the plan amendments to the 2024/25 Annual Audit Plan.

Audio recording – 33 minutes 13 seconds

The SIAS Head of Assurance presented the report entitled ‘SIAS Progress Report 2024-25’ and highlighted the following:

·       Two changes were made since the publication of the Agenda, and these would be added to the progress report in March 2025.

·       Updates to the two high priority recommendations were found in appendix D.

·       Amendments to the Audit Plan approved at the start of 2024/25 were to defer the UK Shared Profits Fund Audit to 2025/26 and was replaced by an audit on performance indicators.

·       Three further draft reports were sent out on Friday, driving up the audits delivered so far figures up to 60% with each report equally approximately 5%.

·       Billable days had increased from 71% to 77%, increasing traction and meaning the plan was on track for delivery.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Paul Ward

·       Independent Member John Cannon

In response to questions, the Service Director – Resources advised that:

·       He would look in to whether the updated records on rent reviews would help the Council collect more income. Rent review record was a more of a control measure, which may help the Councils finances.

·       Rational for the rearranging the audits was around resources for supporting the UKSPF audit, but still making sure any learn lessons could be considered for allocations in 2025/26.

·       Peer challenge identified performance management and indicators as an area for improvement so timely to get support from SIAS to support looking at what the Council were currently doing and what could improve in more detail.

Councillor Paul Ward proposed and Councillor Tina Bhartwas seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

(1)   Noted the SIAS Progress Report for the period to 17 January 2025.

(2)   Noted the implementation status of the reported high priority recommendations.

(3)   Noted the plan amendments to the 2024/25 Annual Audit Plan.