Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Divisional Manager – Audit, Procurement and Operational Finance, updating them on the internal audit activity since the last progress report to the Board on 27 September 2023.  It also highlighted any matters that were relevant to the Board’s responsibilities as the Council’s Audit Committee.

Members were referred to Appendix One, which listed all the planned work for the year and its current status.  The schedule of audits had been updated to reflect the progress made in completing audits since the last update to the Board.  By the end of October 2023, 741 days of audit work had been completed, which represented 60% of the total planned days for the year.  As reported previously, due to the new starters in the team requiring additional support with their work, it would be necessary for some planned work to be deferred to 2024/25.

Appended to the report were the executive summaries of the reports issued numbering 2 to 14, as listed in the report.

A Member commented on the Government’s Autumn Statement and the requirement for local authorities to process planning applications within a set timescale and the penalties for not doing so. It was agreed that a follow-up audit of the planning team could be considered in 6-9 months time.

RESOLVED:  That the Internal Audit Progress Report and comments made be noted.