Issue - meetings

CEO 16014

The report was submitted to inform Members of the Internal Audit Plan for 2016-17.

The Head of Internal Audit summarised the primary objectives of the Internal Audit Plan, as well as the methodology that would be involved in progressing the audit plan.

It was pointed out that the audit coverage for 2016/17 was going to drop from 830 days to 811 days due to the need to make budget savings. This would mean that the audit services that had previously been commissioned from LB Wandsworth would now be deleted. Similarly, it was the case that the vacancy of 0.6fte that internal audit had been holding would also now be deleted, as well as the part time post for a Risk Management Officer.

It was envisaged that effective communication would be maintained with the new external auditors to ensure that LBB’s audit resource would be effectively managed and targeted.

It was highlighted that Internal Audit had been in discussions with the Commissioning Board to agree the best use of Internal Audit time, and out of these discussions a 40 day block of Chief Executive’s Commissioning had been agreed.

A Member expressed satisfaction that 20 days had been allocated to the auditing of Contract Monitoring. However, he questioned the reasoning behind proposals to audit the Commissioning Board, expressing the view that this may be a case of “checking the check.” 

A Member asked when the “Early Years” audit was being done. The Head of Internal Audit stated that a precise time-frame had not been established, but that it was likely to commence at the start of the autumn term. The Member asked when an “Early Year” audit was last undertaken, and the response was that the audit would have taken place approximately two years ago. 

A Member noted that 10 days had been allocated to the audit of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). He expressed some concern that businesses may try and claim waivers to the CIL to avoid paying the levy, and that this was something that would need to be looked at closely.

A Member noted the 10 days allocated to the Biggin Hill audit, and wondered how far back this would go. The Head of Audit advised that an element of the 10 days would be allocated to rental income received from the Glades at the request of management.

A member had also requested that some time be allocated to reviewing SPV (Investment Special Purchase Vehicle which acquire housing stock for temporary accommodation) highlighted in the External Auditor’s Annual Plan that was on the agenda. The Head Of Audit advised that this would be taken into consideration.

RESOLVED that the Annual Internal Audit Plan 2016-2017 be noted.