Agenda item

This report provides an update on the delivery of the internal audit work programme for 2025/26, and plans for delivery over the remainder of the year.

Connor Munro from Veritau introduced the Internal Audit Progress report and noted the planned programme of work for the rest of 2025/26. The Committee made highlighted the low attendance for the Member Induction Programme and asked how concerning this was to the auditors and whether the Council should explore midterm training for members. Mr Munro agreed the number of Councillors attending sessions in the induction programme was low and that recommendations from the auditors would be to seek to increase participation as part of work to develop ongoing Councillor support and training.

Members also enquired about the level of assurance given to the Council’s Saving Plans. Mr Munro noted that overall delivery against saving plans at the Council had been good but that there were some areas such as controls that the auditors would expect to see before a substantial assurance could be given.

The Committee considered the reset of this item in private session as agreed at minute 3.

Resolved:

                         i.         To share the Communications Internal Audit Report with the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to consider whether it would wish to review the Council’s developing Communications Strategy;

                        ii.         To share the Member Induction Programme Internal Audit Report with the Joint Standards Committee to support its work on Member training and development;

                      iii.         To share the Savings Plan Internal Audit Report with the Corporate Scrutiny Committee’s Budget Setting Working Group to support their task and finish work;

                      iv.         Noted the progress made in delivering the 2025/26 internal audit work programme, and plans for delivery over the remainder of the year.

Reason:     To enable members to consider the implications of internal audit findings, and to review planned activity for the remainder of 2025/26.