Agenda item

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

The Audit and Fraud Manager, Stephen Carter referred Members to the Annual Internal Audit Report 2017/18 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Audit and Fraud Manager reminded the Joint Committee that the Annual Internal Audit Report fulfilled the requirements of Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and CIPFA Local Government Application note for the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager to deliver an annual audit opinion.

Members were informed that the report looked at the Joint Committee’s systems of governance, risk management and internal control and that, from the work undertaken, the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager was able to provide a “Substantial” overall assurance opinion of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal control operating across the Joint Committee in 2017/18.  Members were reminded that “Substantial” was the highest level of assurance rating.

The Audit and Fraud Manager noted that the appendices to the report set out the work undertaken by Internal Audit and that there had been no significant control weaknesses that warranted inclusion in the 2017/18 Annual Governance Statement.  Members were referred to good practice and three recommendations in terms of the: donation box; book of remembrance; and documentation and storage space.

The Chairman noted it was an excellent report and thanked the Officers for their hard work in once again obtaining a substantial assurance.

Resolved:

That the content of the Annual Internal Audit Report and the overall “Substantial” opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Joint Committee’s control environment for 2017/18 be noted.