Agenda item

John Scott, Audit Manager:

 

a.    presented the Internal Audit Progress Report to Audit Committee, incorporating the overall position reached so far and summaries of the outcome of audits completed during the period September to December 2019, as detailed at Appendix A

 

b.    highlighted that Audit Committee held the responsibility for receiving a regular progress report from Internal Audit on the delivery of the Internal Audit Plan as a key requirement of public sector internal audit standards

 

c.    detailed the content of the report covering the following main areas:

 

·         Progress Against the Plan

·         Summary of Audit Work

·         Implementation of Audit Recommendations

·         Current Areas of Interest Relevant to the Audit Committee

 

d.    highlighted three consultancy pieces of work completed during the period as follows:

 

·         Fire Safety

·         Values and Behaviours

·         Health Checks against Northamptonshire County Council failings

 

e.    reported on other work ongoing in relation to:

 

·         Election Expenses

·         Partnership Governance

·         HMO Licensing Follow Up

·         Project Management

 

f.     advised on audit reports at draft stage as follows:

 

·         Housing Rents - with management for approval

·         Recruitment - with management for approval

·         Project Management

 

g.    reported on the following audits in progress:

 

·         Payroll

·         Licensing

·         Treasury Management

·         ICT Anti- Malware arrangements

·         Sports Pitches Improvements

·         Homelessness

·         Efficiency Savings

·         Western Growth Corridor

 

h.    highlighted the following audits being prepared for Quarter 4:

 

·         Economic Development/Growth

·         Performance Management

·         Website Security/Office 365 Projects

·         IT Combined Assurance- ISO27001

·         Governance/Risk Management

·         Refuse Contract

·         De Wint Court Contract/Project Management

 

i.      reported on other work ongoing in relation to:

 

·         Combined Assurance

·         Audit Strategy and Plan 2020/21

 

j.      reported on Counter Fraud work ongoing and changes to the Audit Plan

 

k.    detailed other matters of interest in relation to

 

·         Lincolnshire Audit Committee Forum

·         Audit Committee Forum-Public Sector Audit Appointments Update

 

12. highlighted performance against a range of indicators, with good achievement secured in respect of Audit KPI’s to date

 

13. detailed the contents of the Audit Plan Schedule at Appendix 4 of the report

 

14. requested members' consideration of the report.

 

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail, commenting as follows:

 

·         Question: How was the audit of Western Growth Corridor progressing?

·         Response: The audit had been started. The next step was to set up meetings with officers to look at the project in further detail.

·         Comment: There was a typographical error at the bottom of page 54 of the report which referred to it being prepared for Members of Boston Borough Council.

·         Question: Would the new draft staff charter the ‘Lincoln Way’ be published on the council’s website?

·         Response: The staff charter was an internal document which would be available on City People and the Intranet.

·         Question: Had the results on the audit of the health checks against Northamptonshire County Council failings been passed onto relevant sections of the Council for information?

·         Response: The findings had been referred to the Monitoring Officer, Financial Services Manager and relevant service areas.

Councillor Hewson emphasised that it was vitally important for Councillors to represent the wishes of the general public at all times and scrutinise council services accordingly.

 

RESOLVED that the contents of the report and continuation of further monitoring arrangements be noted.