Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of the Devon Audit Partnership providing a progress update.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, a report from the Deputy Head of the Audit Partnership providing an update on work within the Internal Audit area.

It was stated that, overall, based on work performed during 2018/19, the Head of Internal Audit’s opinion continued to be one of ‘Significant Assurance’ on the adequacy and effectiveness of the authority’s internal control framework.

Consideration was given to the following within the report:

·         Customer satisfaction rates being above target.

·         Work in relation to the Council being PCI compliant (Payment Card Industry) and the protections in places for customers making on line payments.

·         The Council was still receiving payments by cheque approximately 20 times per month, however, customers paying in this way would be written to and informed that the Council sought alternative methods of payment, such as payment by cash through the kiosk in reception.

·         Generally it was felt that the situation regarding outstanding audit recommendations had improved significantly over recent years due to a number of factors such as a change in management structure and a different emphasis entirely. However, there were still some recommendations outstanding from 2015. The view was expressed that if they had not been actioned by now they probably wouldn’t be and therefore they should be removed.

·         Any actions resulting from the recent business continuity exercise needed to be updated within the report.

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