Audit Committee – 25 October 2024

Internal Audit Progress Report 2024-25 (September 2024)

Purpose

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.

Classification

Public

Executive Summary

The progress report, attached as Appendix A, summarises the performance of Internal Audit for 2024-25 to 30th September 2024

Recommendation(s)

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 30th September 2024

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To keep the Audit Committee apprised of the status of live audits.

Ward(s)

All Wards

Portfolio Holder(s)

Councillor Jeremy Heron – Finance & Corporate

Strategic Director(s)

Alan Bethune – Corporate Resources and Transformation S151

Officer Contact

Antony Harvey

Deputy Head of Partnership (SIAP)

07784 265289

antony.harvey@hants.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction and background

 

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.

 

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.’

 

Financial and resource implications

 

3.        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.

 

Legal implications

 

4.        There are no matters arising directly from this report.

 

Environmental / Climate and nature implications

 

5.        There are no matters arising directly from this report.

 

Equalities implications

 

6.         There are no matters arising directly from this report.

 

Crime and disorder implications

7.        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.

 

Data protection / Information governance / ICT implications

8.        There are no matters arising directly from this report.

 

 

Appendices:

Background Papers:

List appendices here:-

Appendix 1 – Internal Audit Progress Report 2024-25

 

Internal Audit Plan 2024-25