To consider an update on the progress of work by Internal Audit for 2018/19.

The Committee considered a report outlining the progress made on Internal Audit work against the Internal Audit Plan for 2018/19 up to 26 October 2018. 

Points and comments included:

·         The Limited Assurance outcome arising from the audit on School Transport had arisen because at least 3-4 administrative areas required improvement.  The Chairman commented that the issues relating to school transport provision did not appear to be solely the result of external market forces.

·         Members were aware of issues regarding school transport provision in their own areas and welcomed the work that was being undertaken on this matter.

·         Audit Plan preparation involved engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.  There were some areas where the Audit team were being asked for input and priority was assigned to the work.  Given workload pressures it was probable that some of the Audit Titles (projects) ranked as Low on the list in Appendix A to the officer’s report would not be delivered.  Given this response the Chairman expressed the hope that a ‘triage’ policy would not be adopted as was found in some other public services.

NOTED

the progress made against the 2018/19 Internal Audit Plan.