Agenda item

Report of the Head of Internal Audit.

The Chair introduced Stephen Carter, Audit Manager, DCC who was in attendance to speak to Members as regards the Annual Internal Audit Report 2012/13 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Audit Manager thanked Members for the opportunity to present the report on behalf of the Avril Wallage, Head of Internal Audit, DCC and reminded the Joint Committee of the service provided by Internal Audit as part of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place.  Councillors noted that the Annual Internal Audit Report fulfilled the CIPFA Code of Practice requirements to provide “a written report to those charged with governance timed to support the Statement of Internal Control”, which was now incorporated within the Annual Governance Statement. 

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 Head of Internal Audit was able to provide a “substantial” overall assurance opinion of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal control operating across the Joint Committee in 2012/13.

The Chair thanked the Audit Manager, and the Joint Committee thanked the Officers involved in respect of their hard work in achieving the “substantial” overall assurance opinion.

Resolved:

(i)         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 2012/13 be noted.

(ii)        That the proposal for the provision of Audit and Risk Services to be provided in 2013/14 be approved.