Agenda item

This report summarises the outcome of audit and fraud work undertaken in 2014/15 and provides an opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s framework of governance, risk management and internal controls.

Members considered a report which summarised the outcome of audit and fraud work undertaken in 2014/15 and which provided an opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s framework of governance, risk management and internal control.

Members noted that, having evaluated the results of the audit and fraud work undertaken during the 2014/15 year, the opinion of the Head of Internal Audit was that the council’s framework of governance, risk management and control provided “substantial assurance”. 

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 13 of the report, which detailed significant control issues which were considered relevant to the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement.

Members questioned the Head of Internal Audit on specific findings of audits completed (Annex 2 of the report).   An explanation was given as to why the nature of some of the work carried out by Internal Audit meant that it was not always appropriate to give an opinion. It was agreed that, to provide greater clarity, future reports would detail this type of work separately.

Resolved:  (i)      That the results of audit and counter fraud work

                   undertaken in 2014/15 be noted.

                   (ii)      That the opinion of the Head of Internal Audit on

the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s framework of governance, risk management and internal control be noted.

                   (iii)     That the outcome of the Quality Assurance and

Improvement Programme and the confirmation that the internal audit service conformed with Public Sector Internal Audit Standards be noted.

                   (iv)    That the significant control weaknesses identified

during the year which are relevant to the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement be noted.

Reasons:   (i)      To enable Members to consider the implications

of audit and counter fraud work undertaken in 2014/15.

                   (ii)      To  enable Members to consider the implications

                             of audit and counter fraud findings.

                   (iii)     To enable Members to consider the opinion of

                             the Head of Internal Audit.

                   (iv)    To enable the Annual Governance Statement to

                             be prepared.