Issue - meetings

To aid compliance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and to ensure early consultation with the Audit & Governance Committee, this report outlines the BCP Assurance Framework and the proposed approach for the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan.

The Assurance Framework (Appendix A) has been updated this year with some minor changes to reflect current organisational structure and governance arrangements.

The proposed 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan approach shows the amount of resource to provide core audit work (including high risk, key assurance and key financial audits) and fraud work and subject to budget approval will remain materially the same as the original 2023/24 Audit Plan.

There will be an increase in the overall level of resource due to the engagement of three audit apprentices during 2023/24 in place of two auditor posts. The additional resource will enable time to be spent on a council tax single person discounts review project. It should be noted that this coverage is using less skilled/experienced auditors than in previous years and careful management of this resource will be required in the year.

This resource is considered sufficient to be able to deliver the Chief Internal Auditor’s Annual Opinion.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was asked to agree the BCP Assurance Framework which was included at Appendix 1 of the report. The Assurance Framework had been updated this year with some minor changes to reflect current organisational structure and governance arrangements. The Head of Audit and Management Assurance explained the three line assurance model applied to each of the key assurance functions identified.

The Committee was also asked to consider the proposed 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan approach as part of the consultation process before coming back to the Committee for formal approval in April 2024. It showed the amount of resource to provide core audit work and fraud work, which was proposed to be materially the same as the original 2023/24 Audit Plan. The overall level of resource would increase due to the engagement of three audit apprentices during 2023/24 in place of two auditor posts. This would enable time to be spent on a council tax single person discounts review project. As this used less experienced /qualified staff than in previous years, careful management of the resource would be required. The Head of Audit and Management Assurance confirmed that the amount of resource was considered sufficient to be able to deliver the Chief Internal Auditor’s Annual Opinion. The Committee noted that an updated table of audit plan days 2024/25 with some minor corrections had been circulated prior to the meeting. A copy of the updated table appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance was asked why some teams/areas, such as economic development and council owned companies, were not itemised in the Assurance Framework. He explained that these were included across/within some of the key assurance functions listed, for example, procurement. It was noted that a more detailed version available in April would refer to individual teams/areas. The Head of Audit and Management Assurance also responded to a question on resources and cost/benefit of the council tax single person discounts review project. He explained that it was too early to give a firm view but that initial results appeared favourable. It was noted that the project would form part of the revenue and benefits savings proposals.

RESOLVED that

a)    the BCP Assurance Framework be agreed by the Committee

b)    the proposed draft 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan – high level allocation of resource and delivery approach, be noted.

Voting: Unanimous