Issue - meetings

Members gave consideration to the Annual Internal Audit Report which aimed to provide a summary of the audit work undertaken over the past year.  The report included an opinion on the overall adequacy of and effectiveness of the governance framework and internal control system and the extent to which the Council can rely on it; informed on how the plan was discharged and of overall outcomes of the work undertaken; and drew attention to any issues particularly relevant to the Annual Governance Statement.

Key messages highlighted to the Committee included, the Auditor’s overall opinion. The opinion had been delivered in the context of Covid and the Head of Audit was pleased to advise that the Council continued to have effective governance risk and control processes.

The Council had adapted well during these unprecedented times and the report gave a positive assurance opinion across all areas.  Governance, risk and financial control were performing well.  Internal control was performing adequately, recognising the complex environment in which the Council had been working under and in recognition that there would always be areas of improvement. The report set out the detail and rationale behind the opinion.

In terms of the delivery plan, it had been a very challenging period, with most of the plan completed in the second half of the year.  However the Auditor was pleased to report that 93% of the original plan had been delivered with the help and support of Council officers. Free and unfettered access had been granted across all areas.

Where there had been slippage, this was identified in the report, along with the actions being taken to remedy the position.

Debate ensued and Members congratulated the Council on how it had responded to the risks associated with Covid. Members also welcomed the proactive work which had been undertaken in addressing the issues raised in the previous year’s AGS.

Through the course of the debate and in recognising how internal controls may be increased going forward, it was suggested that further ICT training  for Members would be of assistance. The Chairman indicated this matter would be referred to the Member Development Group in the first instance.

The Section 151 officer addressed Committee advising that as a management team they were pleased with the Audit report and its recognition of how, as an organisation, Officers had come together to continue to deliver.  The Chairman and Members echoed those sentiments.

RESOLVED that

(a)         having considered the Head of Audit’s Annual Report and Opinion for 2020/2021 no further actions had been identified; and

(b)         the Committee would take into account this Annual Report and the Head of Internal Audit's opinion when considering the Council's Annual Governance Statement 2020/21.