Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The Public Sector Internal Audit Standards require the Internal Audit and Risk Manager to prepare an annual risk-based internal audit plan which takes into account the requirement to produce an annual internal audit opinion. 

Audit Committee is asked to approve the annual internal audit plan and audit charter for 2016/17.

Officer Contact: John Pearsall on Tel: 0161 474 4033 or email: john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the draft internal audit plan and internal audit charter for 2016-17, prepared through the development of an Audit Coverage Model that highlighted those areas of the Council considered highest risk.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Councillors highlighted concerns about Arboriculture Services; the Highways Investment Programme and whether this was providing the savings envisaged; and the risk associated with non-delivery of the Digital by Design Programme. In response it was suggested that more detailed reports/ briefings be prepared on these areas for future meetings or additional workshops for members.

·         Councillors discussed the challenges of integration of services and commissioning on accounting and auditing arrangements. It was acknowledged that having Grant Thornton as auditors for both the Council and Clinical Commissioning Group would assist in taking a holistic view of the use of resources locally, although it was important that each organisation could be assured of the appropriate use of its resources.

RESOLVED – That the annual internal audit plan and audit charter for 2016/17 be approved.