Issue - decisions

Members considered a report which set out progress made in departments towards implementing the recommendations made in final internal audit reports issued between April and September 2005.

A total of 176 recommendations had been followed up.  Of these, 16 (9%) had been superseded and 149 (84%) had either been satisfactorily implemented or were in the process of being implemented or addressed. 11 recommendations had not been addressed at all and five of these were of a high priority, relating to audits of commercial waste, family support and Edmund Wilson and Yearsley swimming pools.  However, Officers were satisfied that plans were now in place to resolve these outstanding issues.

The report outlined a proposed process for following up and reporting on progress against agreed audit recommendations.  This would require internal audit to follow up recommendations on a monthly basis and, where no action had been taken, to escalate the issue in accordance with an agreed process.  Overall progress would be reported to Audit and Governance Committee on a six monthly basis.  Members were asked to approve these procedures.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the progress made in implementing audit recommendations made during the period April to September 2005 be noted and that no further action be recommended at this stage.

REASON:      In accordance with this Committee’s role in providing independent assurance on the Council’s control environment.

                        (ii)        That the proposed follow-up reporting arrangements be agreed.

REASON:      To enable Members to monitor the work of the Audit and Fraud team effectively and to ensure that outstanding audit recommendations are addressed, to reduce unacceptable risks to the Council.