Issue - meetings

To receive and consider report 161/07 of the Audit Manager. 

Introduction and Report Summary

The purpose of this report is:

·        to summarise the outcomes of recent internal audit activity for the Committee to consider.  The Committee is asked to review the report and the main issues arising, and seek assurance that action will be/has been taken where necessary.

The Contact Officer for this report is Adrianna Penn, Audit Manager for South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council, telephone (SODC) 01491 823544 and (VWHDC) 01235 547615.

Recommendation

that Members note the content of the report.

The Committee received and considered report 161/07 of the Audit Manager, which summarised the outcomes of four audits carried out by Internal Audit.  The Committee reviewed the report and the main issues arising, and sought assurance that action had been taken where appropriate.  Members also thanked the Audit Manager for introducing a new style of audit reports, which they found to be clearer and more helpful. 

Council Tax

The audit resulted in a satisfactory rating.  Many of the recommendations contained within the report related to harmonising processes between the Vale and South Oxfordshire District Council.  Members were content with the outcome.  

Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation

This audit had resulted in a satisfactory rating.  The Committee made no comment. 

Benefit Counter Fraud

The audit had resulted in a satisfactory rating.  The recommendations reflected the need for harmonisation of processes.  The Committee supported the recommendations within the audit report. 

Sundry Debtors

The audit of the Council's Sundry Debtor service had resulted in a 'limited assurance' rating from Internal Audit.  Some weaknesses had been identified in the adequacy of the internal control system which put the system objectives at risk.  Five recommendations had been raised in the review: two were given high priority, three low priority.  However, the Audit Manager recognised that since the completion of the audit report, improvements had been made to the service. 

The Committee reviewed these and invited both the Revenues and Benefits Client Manager and the Capita Manager to comment.  They assured the Committee that significant improvements had been introduced since the audit had taken place.  A new system had been introduced and processes improved.  Feedback from a manager of another service had been positive; the new format of monthly debt reporting had been praised.  However, it was reported that there was still work to undertake on monitoring performance.  The Committee welcomed this news and was assured that a follow-up audit would be carried out and reported to the Committee. 

RESOLVED

that report 161/07 be noted.