AUDIT COMMITTEE – 26 JULY 2024                                 

INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT 2024-25 (JULY 2024)

1.         RECOMMENDATION

1.1      That the Audit Committee note the content of the progress report, attached as Appendix A, summarising internal audit progress with delivering the 2024-25 audit plan to 9th July 2024.

2.          INTRODUCTION

2.1      The purpose of this report is to provide the Audit Committee with an overview of internal audit activity completed in accordance with the approved audit plan and to provide an overview of the status of ‘live’ reports.

3.         BACKGROUND

3.1      Under the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015, the Council is responsible for:

·         ensuring that its financial management is adequate and effective and that it has a sound system of internal control which facilitates the effective exercise of functions and includes arrangements for the management of risk; and

 

·         undertaking an adequate and effective internal audit of its accounting records and of its system of internal control in accordance with the proper practices in relation to internal control.

 

3.2      In accordance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and the Council’s Internal Audit Charter, the Chief Internal Auditor is required to provide a written status report to the Audit Committee, summarising:

‘communications on the internal audit activity’s performance relative to its’ plan.’

 

3.3      The progress report, attached as Appendix A, summarises the performance of Internal Audit for 2024-25 to 9th July 2024.

4.         FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1      The audit plan consists of 400 audit days including 18 audit days provided to the New Forest National Park Authority under the current Service Level Agreement. The Council’s budget for 2024-25 reflects these arrangements.

 

5.         CRIME & DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

5.1      There are no crime and disorder implications arising directly from this report, however inadequate audit coverage may result in areas of control weakness, unacceptable risks or governance failings as well as the increased potential for error and fraud.

 

6.         ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

6.1      There are no matters arising directly from this report.

 

7.         EQUALITY & DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS

7.1      There are no matters arising directly from this report.

 

8.         DATA PROTECTION IMPLICATIONS

8.1      There are no matters arising directly from this report.

         

For further information contact:

Antony Harvey

Deputy Head of Partnership (SIAP)

07784 265289

antony.harvey@hants.gov.uk

Background Papers:

Internal Audit Plan 2024-25