Agenda item

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

The Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager, Paul Bradley referred Members to the Annual Internal Audit Report 2018/19 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate 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 in order 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 2018/19.  Members were reminded that “Substantial” was the highest level of assurance rating.

The Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager noted that two medium and two best practice recommendations had been made and that the Crematorium had taken actions in relation to those.

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 2018/19 be noted.