Agenda item - HR and Payroll Audit Issues Update

Report of the Executive Director of Finance & Resources (copy attached).

31.1         The Committee considered a report in relation to the HR and Payroll Issues Update. The Committee had previously been informed both through internal audit and external audit of historic concerns about the payroll control environment. Significant improvements had been made over the last 18 months and the report summarised the work, and met the commitment made to the Committee in April 2013 to provide a six monthly update on progress. The report also provided an opportunity to update the Committee on other related work in Human Resources and any new challenges faced.

31.2         Councillor Ann Norman thanked Officers for the report, but noted she had concerns from reading the report in relation to the ability of the service to undergo the necessary reconfiguration from within existing budgets. The Head of Human Resources confirmed that there had been an additional funding bid to help with some of this work, and some of the demand would be met by shifting work within the Human Resources section. Councillor Deane asked for more information in relation to the additional funding bid, and it was confirmed that this was for internal funding, and it was envisaged there would be a one off budget provision made for this work.

31.3         RESOLVED – That the Committee note the progress made to improve the payroll control environment and other Human Resources related audit work.