Issue - meetings

This report summarises progress against the audit plan for 2017/18.

The Committee received a report presenting the internal audit progress report for 2017/18. The following matters were considered:

a)            Definition of substantial and reasonable assurance. Following a question from a member of the Committee, the Internal Auditor informed the meeting that “substantial assurance” was the highest level of classification given by the Auditor. The Commitee was informed that “reasonable assurance” was the second-highest level of classification given by the Auditor.

b)            ICT business continuity plan. The Committee was informed that the Acting Head of ICT was in the process of drafting amendments to the ICT Business Continuity Plan in line with the Auditor’s findings.

c)            Emergency response training for Councillors. The Committee was informed that a Members’ Briefing Evening would be arranged to provide training for Councillors on how to respond in the event of an emergency within the Borough. This was likely to be held in late May or early June 2018 and would cover issues such as how to react, signposting to responsible authorities and the use of social media.

d)            Audit of Local Plan – application of control framework. The Committee noted that the Auditor had made one medium level recommendation with regard to this audit, relating to the Council’s statutory obligation to publish a Housing Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). Officers informed the Committee that the AMR for 2017/18 would be presented to the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee in March 2018, and that this would comply with the Council’s statutory obligations.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Agreed to receive the internal audit progress report for 2017/18.