Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which provided an update on the internal audit activity for the period April to December 2019, against the Internal Audit Plan for 2019-20. This was the second monitoring report of the current year.

The report indicated that the key target facing the Internal Audit Service was to complete 90% of its work plan by the 31st March 2020. A chart set out in the report provided analysis of progress against planned work for the period April to December 2019. As at the end of this period the Service had completed 59% of the Audit Plan against a planned target of 75%. Whilst it was acknowledged that progress in quarter three remained below target, it was the Chief Internal Auditor’s view that, based on an assessment of progress made at the end of January 2020, the Service was on track to meet its key target by the end of 2019-20.

At the meeting on 11^th November 2019 the Committee noted that the Internal Audit Plan had been amended to 460 days which reflected the current best estimate of available resource. During quarter three close monitoring had continued and the plan had been amended to 440 days. This reduction had been accommodated by postponing a small number of audits until 2020/21 and changes in operational requirements.

In relation to the other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Internal Audit Service, the report included a summary of the performance for 2019-20 to date against the five KPIs, with comparative figures for the financial year 2018-19.  Currently, all the indicators were close to / above target.

In relation to the other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Internal Audit Service, the report included a summary of the performance for 2019-20 to date against the five KPIs, with comparative figures for the financial year 2018-19.  Currently, all the indicators were close to / above target. Performance Management continued to be a key focus.

The report set out a list of audits finalised between October and December 2019 along with the level of assurance provided. The following audits were currently in progress:

·  Audits at Draft Report Stage – Sports and Arts grants process

·  Audits On-going – Adult Social Care Workflow Processes, Health and Safety Audit Programme, IT Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, Business Rates, CareDirector, Tribunals for Special School Places, Selective and Additional Licensing. 

Details of a selection of key reviews completed in this period were set out at an appendix to the report. In all cases, the relevant managers had agreed to address the issues raised in line with the timescales stated. Following the findings of the audit review of St Osburg’s Primary School, arrangements had been made with finance colleagues to support the School to address the issues raised.  The Internal Audit Service would be undertaking a formal follow up review to obtain assurance that actions had been progressed before the end of this academic year. A request was made for a follow up report regarding St Osburg’s Primary School.

RESOLVED that:

(1) The performance as at quarter three against the Internal Audit Plan for 2019-20 be noted.

(2)  The summary findings of the key audit reviews be noted.

(3) An update on St Osburg’s Primary School be included in a future progress report when appropriate.