Issue - meetings

To receive the Annual Report 2017/18 – Shared Audit & Investigation Services.

The Committee received the Annual Report 2017/18 – Shared Audit and Investigation Services.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         The report detailed the work of the team during 2017/18 which had also been reported on a quarterly basis.

·         During the year Internal Audit had undertaken audits of key financial systems in order to complement the work of External Audit.

·         The Assistant Director Governance advised Members that approximately 80% of the approved 2017-18 Internal Audit Plan had been completed and that the work outstanding was predominantly complete.

·         Progress against the plan had been affected by an officer being seconded to the 21^st Century Council programme and another resulting vacancy from the end of quarter one.

·         Savings achieved by Investigations were noted.

·         The Committee discussed the Debtor and Housing Rents audits.  It was noted that a lot of work was being undertaken in these areas to make improvements, the results of which the Committee would be informed of.

·         With regards to council tax collection, Councillor Whittle proposed that less time be given before non-payment was chased up. 

·         The Lead Specialist Finance commented that sundry debtors were now contacting those with outstanding payments by phone as well as by letter.

RESOLVED:  That the 2017/18 Shared Audit and investigation Service Annual Report be noted.