Agenda item

Report of the Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management.

Members received a report of the Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management which provided an update on internal audit activity since the last report to the Committee in November 2017.

The Head of Internal Audit advised that he was confident of clearing the backlog.  Members noted that audit managers and Mazars had been assisting, with draft reports expected by mid-April.  With regard to the audit of business travel, there had been some issues, but internal controls had improved, and Town Clerks had provided a positive response to address the recommendations.  The audit focussed on compliance issues rather than VFM, but some consideration was given to this in sample testing.

Members were concerned about retrospective waivers and challenged whether the £50,000 threshold was too high.  The Chairman of Finance endorsed this view and the number of retrospective waivers had dropped in response to the Finance Committee’s zero tolerance.  Members commended the work of the Procurement Team in working with officers to reduce the number of waivers. The Chamberlain confirmed that the terminology would be changed from procurement ‘waiver’ to ‘breach’, with disciplinary sanctions. The Chamberlain thanked the Chairman and Members for their strong support in this matter.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.