Mr Paul Rock, Head of Internal Audit, Anti-Fraud and Risk stated the report provided members with an update on the progress made against the delivery of the 2021/22 Annual Audit Plan and highlighted any significant issues since the last report to the Audit Committee in December 2021. An update on anti-Fraud activity was also included in the report.

Mr Rock said they were on track to deliver 30 audits for 2021/22 and there was sufficient information for his successor to inform their internal audit opinion for 2021/22. In relation to fraud, Mr Rock said they continued to increase the number of social housing properties they were recovering and returning to the common use housing register. He said he was pleased with the progress made especially as this was a difficult area to tackle. He said a good range of prevention activity had been undertaken by the Fraud Prevention officer.

Mr Rock referred members to appendix B, which provided an update on previously unimplemented agreed management actions. He said management had provided a statement in relation to this. Mr Rock said the Committee may wish to receive regular updates going forward on partially implemented recommendations.  Mr Rock said the report also included an update on the learning from a recent prosecution case. He said this was detailed at page 78 of the agenda. Mr Rock said officers were present to answer questions regarding reports which had achieved limited assurances.

In response to comments and questions from the members the following was noted:

• Mr Rock confirmed details of fraud action and prosecutions were publicised in the local newspapers. He said personal details were not published, as this would not be appropriate. Mr Rock said it was a continual battle to raise awareness and keep the public informed, that fraud costs everybody.
• Councillor Edgar commented that other agencies such as the Police were getting better at publicising their results and as such it was vital to keep up the pressure and to keep the public aware of fraud.
• In reference to the table on page 76, Councillor Edgar commented that it was good to see the direction of travel for fully implemented management actions. He said this was encouraging. 

Management and Control of Freedom of Information Requests Consultancy Review

Ms Raj Chand, Director of Customer Services addressed the Committee and stated that she had requested the Internal Audit team to conduct a review of the Freedom of Information Service, to better understand the position in respect to key priorities and statutory duties. She said she needed to understand the weaknesses in control and introduce measures to remedy them. Ms Chand said the response rate for FOI’s had improved from 74% to 84% and the ICO – Information Commissioner Office, were pleased with the progress they were making.

Ms Chand said along-side the internal audit review, a root and branch review of the service was being undertaken, to ensure the service was fit for purpose. She said the staffing structure and the IT system were being upgraded and she was looking to recruit to the Head of Service post, owing to the former head retiring.

In response to comments and questions the following was noted:

• ACTION: Ms Chand said she would update the Committee via email the exact number of FOI’s the service receives.

• Ms Chand confirmed the timescale to implement the review and restructure was June 2022.

Management of Incidents and Security Breaches

Mr Adrian Gorst, Director of IT was present for the meeting however members had no questions for him, regarding this limited assurance report. Mr Gorst had provided the Committee with a summary under item 4.2.

Management and Control of Agency workers

Ms Musrat Zaman, Director of HR and Workplace Development stated whilst every attempt was made to recruit permanent staff, the use of agency workers was necessary, when roles could not be filled. She said the Matrix contract had been in place for a year and the limited assurance report had helped to identify areas of weakness that required improvement. Ms Zaman said they had already started to address the issues and had implemented the recommendations made by Internal Audit. Ms Zaman said she had regular meetings with Matrix to discuss the actions and review their performance.  

• Members of the Committee had no questions for Ms Zaman.

Management and Control of Commercial Waste

This report to be discussed as part 2 of the agenda.

The Chair thanked Mr Rock for his report and the Officers present for their updates.

The Audit Committee RESOLVED to:

1. Note the contents of this report and the overall progress and assurance provided, as well as the findings/assurance of individual reports.