Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Devon Audit Partnership (DAP) presenting the progress report for the year 2022 – 2023 to date.

The Committee received, and NOTED, a report * from the Devon Audit Partnership which highlighted the following:

·       The first half of the report concerned the audits that had taken place since the last meeting and the second half discussed the Counter Fraud Resilience and Assessment Report.

·       There had been 9 ‘reasonable’ assurance opinions given, 3 ‘substantial’ and one ‘limited’.

·       Summaries, risk exposure and management actions were provided in Appendix one with regard to the following areas: Treasury Management, Car Parks, Grounds Maintenance, Customer Care and Complaints, Capital Asset Management and Void Management Arrangements.

·       A list had been provided of the current and overdue audit recommendations, however, it was explained that DAP were working with the new Performance Manager in order to ensure progress on the recommendations going forwards.

Discussion took place regarding:

·       Concerns regarding the risks associated with Cyber Security. An audit had just been completed on this area and a report would be brought to the next meeting. It was further confirmed that robust testing was undertaken on a regular basis.

·       Concerns regarding the length of time it was taking to re-let Council properties upon vacation. It was confirmed that Covid, the cost of living crisis, the cost and availability of materials, new regulations and the decarbonisation agenda was having a significant effect upon timescales.

·       Concerns regarding pre-void inspections and whether all properties were inspected or only targeted ones. A breakdown was requested and it was confirmed that this information would be provided at a later date once the relevant officers had been contacted. It was further confirmed that DAP would be undertaking a review of the Voids area in 6 months time.

·       The scale of fraud, nationally, was enormous. Of all recorded crime, 41% related to fraud. Local authorities were working together to determine and implement best practice in an effort to combat fraud. A Public Sector Fraud Authority had been created. The Council would continue to monitor this area and report regularly to the Audit Committee.

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.