Issue - meetings

This report sets out the Internal Audit Charter and Audit Plan for 2020/21. Approval of these documents by the Audit and Governance Committee is a requirement of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS).

The report also details progress made on delivery of the 2020/21 Audit Plan for the period April to June (inclusive) 2020.  The report highlights that:

·       One audit assignment has been completed (‘Reasonable’ audit opinion);

·       Eleven audit assignments are in progress;

·       Implementation of audit recommendations is satisfactory.

Significant un-planned time has been spent on COVID 19 NDR Grant verification and fraud prevention work during the first quarter. 

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 ‘H’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report set out the Internal Audit Charter and Audit Plan for 2020/21 and approval of the documents by the Audit and Governance Committee was a requirement of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS).

The report also detailed progress made on delivery of the 2020/21 Audit Plan for the period April to June (inclusive) 2020. The report highlighted that one audit assignment had been completed (with a ‘Reasonable’ audit opinion); eleven audit assignments were in progress and that the implementation of audit recommendations was satisfactory.

Significant un-planned time spent on central government COVID19 NDR Grant verification and associated fraud prevention work was identified in the report and had an impact on delivery of the audit plan during the first quarter. The Committee recorded its thanks to the Head of Audit and Management Assurance and the Audit team for their flexibility and increased work as a result of undertaking this additional grant verification responsibility.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)  the Internal Audit Charter be approved and the Chairman be authorised to sign the document to record this approval (this to be implemented be a virtual sign off using email);

(b)  the Internal Audit Plan 2020/21 be approved;

(c)  the budget for the Internal Audit service which has been previously approved by Council be noted;

(d)  the progress made and issues arising on the delivery of the 2020/21 Internal Audit Plan be noted.

Voting: Unanimous.