Issue - meetings

The purpose of this paper is to present the Annual Internal Audit Conclusion for 2024/25 (Appendix 1) in accordance with the requirements of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

The Committee received a report presenting the Annual Internal Audit Conclusion for 2024/25 (Appendix 1) in accordance with the requirements of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Change of personnel. The Chief Internal Auditor informed the Committee that there will be a new Chief Internal Auditor from the 2025/26 year onwards. The Chief Internal Auditor thanked staff and Members for their responsiveness and engagement.

b)            Thanks. The Chair expressed thanks to the Chief Internal Auditor for all her work and support she has provided Officers and Members.

c)            Data Protection. A Member of the Committee raised that on page 191, it states that the Council does not formally have a data protection officer and raised a concern regarding the news on cyber-attacks and various large companies experience data protection issues. The Member asked if there has been an update since the report was prepared on this area. The Corporate Governance and Strategy Manager informed the Committee that the Council does have a partnership with a data protection organisation, that provides the Council with expert support and a registered data protection officer. The Chief Internal Auditor appreciated that there has been an update in this area and explained that the report was finalised very early on in the year, so things will have moved on and actions taken, but the Internal Audit must report on the findings at the time.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      To consider and note the Annual Internal Audit Conclusion 2024-2025.