Agenda item

The Board considered a report which detailed the monitoring report of internal audit work and performance as at 31st August 2013.

Mr. A. Bromage, Service Manager, Worcestershire Internal Audit Shared Service introduced the report and in doing so informed Members that the report provided commentary on Internal Audit’s performance against the performance indicators agreed for the service.  The report also detailed the completion and reporting of 2012/2013 audits for information.

The Service Manager responded to Councillor P. M. McDonald with regard to the audit report for ICT, as detailed on pages 55 and 56 of the report, items 1 and 2.  The Service Manager informed Members that the management of the inventory, the stock replacement and disposals programme was considered satisfactory for the needs of the organisation, although the ICT equipment records should be checked on an annual basis and that, as detailed in the report, a procedure document for the disposing of equipment would be written. 

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources further responded that the audit team had identified both items as a medium priority.  The audit had identified that there was no formal process or procedure in place but the system of control that was in place was generally sound.

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources responded to Councillor P. M. McDonald with regard to the full system audit for Cemeteries – Bereavement Services, fees and charges.  The audit had identified that the incorrect fees and charges (as at April 2011) had been displayed on the Council’s web site.  The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources informed the Board that all fees and charges were agreed at Cabinet and placed on the Council’s web site.  She would therefore need to seek clarification from the Head of Environment as to why the incorrect fees and charges had been displayed on the Council’s website and would provide Members with an update on this issue.

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources responded to Members questions with regard to the audit report for Parks and Open Spaces (Sanders Park).  Councillor P. M. McDonald raised concerns with officers with regard to Internal Check – Banking and Contractor Check.  The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources informed Members that with regard to Internal Check – Banking, as detailed in the report, some weeks the takings were nominal and therefore staff may not bank the income until the following week.  With regard to Contractor Check the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources informed Members that she would raise Councillor P. M. McDonald’s concerns with the Head of Service and request that he attended the next meeting of the Audit Board to address the concerns highlighted. 

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources responded to Councillor P. M. McDonald with regard to the audit of the Markets and in particular cash collection.  The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources informed Members that the market was managed as part of the shared service and hosted by Wyre Forest District Council.  A Service Level Agreement (SLA) was in place between Bromsgrove District Council and Wyre Forest District Council for the services provided and the inconsistencies, as detailed in the report, had been raised with officers at Wyre Forest District Council.

Councillor P. M. McDonald emphasised that a further review should be carried out on all three areas, as detailed in the preamble above.  Having been put to the vote it was agreed that a further review would not be carried out.

RESOLVED:

(a)  that the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services be requested to attend the next meeting of the Audit Board with regard to the issues raised, as detailed in the  preamble above; and

(b)  that the monitoring report of internal audit work and performance as at 31st August 2013 be noted.