Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services

At its meeting on 6 February 2020 the Governance Scrutiny Group approved the three year Internal Audit Strategy presented by BDO, the Council’s internal auditors.

Mr Rubins presented the planned audits due to take place in Year 2 of the Internal Audit Strategy, 2021/22 and highlighted a small number of changes in response to evolving situations and amended risks. Ten audits are planned for 2021/22 covering a number of the Council’s key processes and systems, these include:

·       Planning and s106

·       Housing Benefit

·       Contract Management and Procurement

·       Hybrid Mail

The Group were asked to consider whether they were satisfied that sufficient assurances are being received within the annual plan, does the internal audit strategy plan cover the Council’s key risks and are the areas selected for coverage this year appropriate.

Members asked a specific question relating to the auditors approach to look back at risk impact on the Council’s budgets and how would the internal audit treat benefits against the risk process. Mr Rubins explained that this is linked to the Council’s risk register and that any financial issues would be highlighted and brought to the attention of officers at the appropriate time.

It was RESOLVED that the Year Two Plans from the Internal Audit Strategy 2020-2023 be approved.