Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the outcome of the internal audit report and the management responses to the recommendations.

The Responsible Financial Officer - RFO, Dan Povey presented the Internal Audit Report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Trustee and a copy which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The RFO explained that the report was a summary of the review undertaken by internal audit on the internal controls and governance of the Charter Trustees. He explained that the report would aid the Charter Trustees when considering agenda item 7 which sought approval of the Accountability and Governance Return which included the Annual Governance Statement which was an assessment built on the internal audit’s review of the governance arrangements of the Charter Trustees.

The Charter Trustees were referred to the internal control objectives.  The RFO reported that the list of applicable controls that audit were asked to assess had resulted in either a substantial or reasonable audit assurance which means that in the main the Charter Trustees was operating well.  He explained that the only control that provided a partial assurance was risk management.  The Charter Trustees were reminded that the risk register was approved at the January meeting and the reason it was a partial assurance was because it was not in place for the entire 2020/21 financial year.

Councillor Brooke asked for clarification relating to the issue raised concerning credit cards and the submission of evidence and the potential risk.  The Deputy Head of Democratic Services reported that operational arrangements were subject to continual review and in respect of that particular recommendation it was a general reminder to staff to ensure that when they were using the credit card for transactions that all relevant receipts and paperwork was completed and submitted.

RESOLVED – that the 2020-21 Internal Audit Report be received and adopted.

Voting - Unanimous