Agenda item

Head of Internal Audit Opinion and Annual Report 2017/18

Report of the Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management.

Minutes:

Members received the Head of Internal Audit’s Annual Report and Opinion, as follows:

 

“I am satisfied that sufficient quantity and coverage of internal audit work has been undertaken to allow me to draw a reasonable conclusion as to the adequacy and effectiveness of the City’s risk management, control and governance processes.

 

In my opinion, the City has adequate and effective systems of internal control in place to manage the achievement of its objectives. In giving this opinion, it should be noted that assurance can never be absolute and, therefore, only reasonable assurance can be provided that there are no major weaknesses in these processes.

 

Notwithstanding the overall opinion, internal audit’s work identified a number of opportunities for improving controls and procedures which are documented in each individual audit report.”

 

Members noted that a number of draft reports were still to be finalised and would be included in next year’s opinion. Members were reminded that they would have an opportunity to meet with the Head of Internal Audit, in a closed session, at the end of this meeting. 

 

In response to questions, the Head of Internal Audit advised that his team’s structure had moved from a full in-house team, to using more external resource from our Audit Partner, Mazars, in order to provide a better mix of skills and expertise.  In response to a question about the large percentage of red risks (ie 13%), the Head of Internal Audit advised Members that it was difficult to provide year on year comparisons, as the nature of the work differed.  Members also noted that the percentage of amber risks had increased, as part of a more focussed approach to internal audit, and the issues had been listed in the report.  The Head of Internal Audit agreed to check the percentages on page 61 of the report, in respect of direction of travel, and recirculate them. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

 

 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

Supporting documents: