Agenda item - Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Progress Report - Quarter 2 (1 July to 30 September 2019)

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Agenda item

Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Progress Report - Quarter 2 (1 July to 30 September 2019)

Report of the Executive Director, Finance & Resources

Decision:

1)           That the Committee note the report.

 

2)           That the Executive Director, Health & Adult Social Care reports back to the next Audit and Standards Committee on progress on the actions within the follow-up Internal Audit report on Extra Care Housing.

Minutes:

41.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Finance & Resources that provided Members with an update on all internal audit and counter fraud activity completed during the quarter, including a summary of all key audit findings.  The report also includes details of progress on delivery of the annual audit plan along with an update on the performance of the internal audit service during the period.

 

41.2      Councillor Hugh-Jones noted that further assurance work was required on bringing the repairs service in-house and asked when this would be reported to the committee.

 

41.3      The Audit Manager explained that there would be a specific piece of work on the matter in next years audit plan. It was explained that two audit team members attended the relevant project board and there was a great deal of corporate support. On that basis, it was no currently intended to report the matter to committee, but Members would be updated if the situation changed.

 

41.4      In reference to page 83 of the agenda, Councillor Hamilton noted most but not all actions relating to the audit of the Care Leavers service had been completed. Given the audit was undertaken a year ago, Councillor Hamilton stated that he hoped the actions would have all been completed.

 

41.5      The Audit Manager explained that this issue was a follow-up to a partial assurance assigned in a previous review and the actions were not a core performance issue.

 

41.6      Councillor Hugh-Jones asked if there could be systems that add up hours for those staff on two contracts in order to comply with the Working Time Directive. In addition, Councillor Hugh-Jones noted that no timeframe was given in relation to the actions on temporary accommodation.

 

41.7      The Audit Manager explained that virtually all actions on the Working Time Directive systems were completed and there would be a system by which alerts were generated on hours completed. In relation to the actions on Temporary Accommodation, the Audit Manager clarified that these would be in the audit reports and that information could be checked and provided to Members.

 

41.8      Councillor Appich expressed concern that there was a large amount of arrears relating to temporary accommodation and asked how much of that figure was collectable.

 

41.9      The Audit Manager replied that rent arrears were difficult to collect, particularly with former tenants although every effort was made.

 

41.10   RESOLVED-

 

1)           That the Committee note the report.

 

2)           That the Executive Director, Health & Adult Social Care reports back to the next Audit and Standards Committee on progress on the actions within the follow-up Internal Audit report on Extra Care Housing.

Supporting documents:

 


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