Issue - meetings

To consider a report from the Internal Audit Manager.

The Internal Audit Manager presented her report on the effectiveness of the system of internal audit outlining the core principles and requirements they are required to adhere to.

An external quality assessment was undertaken in 2018/19 which resulted in some areas of good practice and also some improvement actions being identified.  The Internal Audit Manager provided an update on those items which were in progress but had not yet been fully implemented. 

The importance of the organisation supporting audit was one of the action points and the Internal Audit Manager advised that regular meetings were being set up with the Chief Finance Officer and the Chief Executive.   Independent meetings with the Chief Executive would be set up if considered necessary.

Terry Collier, Deputy Chief Executive, advised the Committee of the introduction of the CIPFA Financial Management Code which provides guidance for good and sustainable management in local authorities.  The Council were engaging with CIPFA on this and would be holding a workshop at the Council offices.  It was stressed that this was for all managers, and was not just a finance function.  Once the initial training had taken place, the Committee would be provided with an update.

Resolved to note the report on the effectiveness of internal audit 2018/19.