AG.17/23
The Leader presented a report
which sought to provide Members of the principal activities and
findings of the Council’s Internal Audit Team.
It was highlighted that the
Internal Audit Charter and Strategy were not included in the agenda
pack and would be re-submitted at the next meeting.
In discussion, particular
reference was made to:
(a) The grant scheme related
to the £150 energy rebate support for residents and undertook
a post payment assurance on our procedures;
(b) They were aware of the
issues with the contractor at the Batson Development but would need
to investigate this further to provide more detail;
(c) Devon Building Control
Partnership (DBCP) have been made aware that there was no process
in place to make a complaint or comment;
(d) Food Standards backlog
following post covid and staff focussed
on other areas of work. An additional
officer recruited, and further officer trained to address the
high-risk food premises by the end of this financial year and was
supported by the FSA;
(e) The higher insurance was
predominately related to bringing the waste service back
in-house. The claims mainly related to
the waste vehicles and SHDC also has responsibility for the harbour
and higher level of assets and buildings than WDBC. They were looking to renew the current
arrangements in December and would be undertaking a fuller retender
in the summer. Also looking at cyber
insurance cover which was extremely expensive or to
self-insure;
(f) Regarding travel
claims, the employee has to self-certify and attach a petrol VAT
receipt – further checking of
whether a receipt has been attached to every claim;
(g) Members have direct access
to the internal audit team – The Leader highlighted a
specific change on a S106
agreement which he felt was of concern. Changes will be made to the
process and the constitution is already being looked
at.
It was then:
RESOLVED
Progress made against the
2023/24 internal audit plan, and any key issues arising are noted
and approved.
It was PROPOSED
and SECONDED and when put to the vote was declared
CARRIED that:
The Committee request Internal
Audit to investigate the processes around S106, in particular to
review the delegated authority and to provide
recommendations.