To received a summary of the current implementation position and arrangements for monitoring and reporting internal and external audit recommendations for Quarter 2 of the municipal year, in line with Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Audit and Risk Management which summarised the current implementation position and arrangements for monitoring and reporting internal and external audit recommendations in accordance with Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

In addition to the report’s

introduction and background information, the following information was also included:

·         Current Implementation Position Update

·         Outstanding Recommendations – over 12 months

·         Significant / Critical Overdue Recommendations – 6 to 12 months

·         Significant / Critical Overdue Recommendations – 1 to 6 months

·          Reporting timescales for recommendations which are as yet not due a response.

With reference to outstanding recommendation in relation to Mental Health Casework, the Head of Audit and Risk Management advised that training of staff would take place during 21 – 28 October 2022. A member questioned whether consideration given been on the likely impact of scheduling the training during the school’s half term holidays and could be reflected in the evaluation of it’s uptake. provided. The Executive Member for Finance and Resources added that whilst he was satisfied to see that the training was in place, the point made about its scheduling was valid. He suggested that the next scheduled report, should provide the committee with the appropriate level of assurance that eligible staff had undergone the appropriate training in order that the Committee could be satisfied that that the recommendation had been fully implemented. The Head of Audit and Risk Management agreed to pass those comments on to the Director.

In respect of foster care overpayments, the Committee was asked to note that an audit of the foster care service was currently in progress and, as such, the Committee’s earlier recommendation on foster care payments would be addressed in full in the forthcoming report. The audit was described as a full scale analytical review of data population for such payments, with reasonably positive results yielded to date.

In respect of the overdue recommendation associated with Avro Hollows Tenant Management Organisation (TMO), the Head of Audit and Risk Management gave clarification that a 3 month priority for recommended interventions to address the identified gaps in assurance had been passed to the TMO and the Director of Strategic Housing.

The Committee noted the progress and timeline on the introduction of a centralised contract management system. In response to the partially-implemented overdue significant recommendation for Waivers and Contract Extensions, a member expressed the view officers should be invited to attend the Committee and so that members were able to get a better understanding of the barriers to implementation. The Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer commented that there were occasions where waivers and / or direct allocations were an appropriate procurement method. She gave assurance that effective measures were in place to monitor contract extensions and waivers and support informed decision making, adding that where it was agreed that a procurement exercise was indicated, this was duly followed up. She also said that that the flexibility to extend contract arrangements formed part of the Council’s contract awarding practices and benefited the Council particularly for longer contract awards.

Decision

To note the report