Issue - meetings

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

Mr Armstrong from BDO, the Council’s Internal Auditors, presented the Internal Audit Progress Report for Quarter 4 which reflected the progress made for the year against the annual Internal Audit programme.

Mr Armstrong highlighted the completion and issuing of two reports from the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan as follows:

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) was an advisory piece of work to help ensure the council has an effective approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and that this is embedded across the Council. The Group were advised that this piece of work was not rated in the same way as other audits, the executive summary provided highlighted the Council was in line with other authorities of a similar size. The Group noted management recommendations around training compliance, SMART objectives, accountability and policies and procedures.

The Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) audit received a substantial rating for design and moderate rating for effectiveness, with two low level recommendations around administration and compliance procedures and Mr Armstrong reassured the Group that internal controls were in place in respect of audit trails.

Councillor Thomas advised that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is reported annually to the Corporate Overview Group for consideration and comment.

Councillor Thomas asked a specific question relating to the Disabled Facilities Grant process and whether the actions raised related to officer practice or limitations of the automated system. Mr Armstrong confirmed the automated system had its limitations and highlighted audit trails had been completed out of the system. It was suggested that the system provider be contacted to provide improvements to the process.

Mr Causton, the Independent Person for Governance commented on whether 67% was a realistic target in respect of the number of completions of Disabled Facility Grants. The Head of Finance explained timeliness for completion is often down to contractor’s availability and resources.

Councillor Regan commented on the low EDI training completions rates and asked whether e-guides for staff and Councillors to undertake self-assessments could be considered. Mr Dulay from BDO, the Council’s Internal Auditors explained this is down to the judgement of Council Officers who can set all kinds of measures against the LGA Equality Framework for Local Government, providing an example of annual staff surveys and comprehensive induction training including EDI mandatory training.

The Chair commented on the topic being very broad with similar concerns being raised at Corporate Overview Group on 17 June 2025.

It was RESOLVED that Governance Scrutiny Group considered the quarter 4 progress report for 2024/25 (Appendix A) prepared by the Council’s Internal Auditor.