Agenda item

The Assistant Director, South West Audit Partnership, presented his report to members. He explained that the audit plan which had been produced required approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Charter, which largely remained the same, also needed approval from the Audit Committee.

He explained that there were many factors which were considered when the plan was put together. These were listed on page 8 of the agenda. He added that the SSDC risk management framework was still being developed so limited assurance was taken from this when producing the plan.

He explained that, following meetings with SSDC directors, a summary of outcomes of the risk assessment for the Council were listed on page 9 of the agenda. The core areas of recommended coverage were included within the report and he felt that these were the key risk areas for SSDC.

He referred members to page 10 of the agenda report, advising that there was limited coverage on some of the key corporate outcomes. SWAP would monitor its coverage against the corporate outcomes to ensure there is suitable coverage over the medium term as it’s not possible to cover all outcomes in detail in one audit plan year.

He advised members that quarter 4 of the benefit realisation audit had been carried forward from the 2017/18 audit plan. This was due to the timing of the Transformation Project.

In response to a question from a member, he confirmed that an external review of SWAP would soon be carried, however was unable to confirm the date for this assessment. 

He added that the performance target was set to achieving 90% of the plan, however hoped that this target would be exceeded. There had been some changes to the customer feedback questionnaires, which would allow the value our work brings to SSDC to be monitored.

He referred to appendix 1 of the report, advising that this appendix detailed the planned audits. Full financial audits would be carried out following the changes made during the Transformation Project. He summarised some of the other audits which were included in the list, advising that links to the council plan were included. A progress report would be provided to members at the June Audit Committee meeting. 

He referred to appendix 2 of the report. He advised that the only change to The Internal Audit Charter was the date of the review.

One member asked how much money had been paid into the reserve fund from the income made through the commercial projects. He also asked whether this reserve fund was ring-fenced and at what point could these funds be released towards revenue.

In response to the question, the Director of Support Services and Strategy advised that she would speak to the director of Commercial Services and Income Generation and that these details could be provided. 

Members agreed to approve the Internal Audit Plan for 2019-20 and to approve the Internal Audit Charter.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that members approved the Internal Audit Plan for 2019-20 and approved the internal Audit Charter.

(voting: unanimous)