The report of the Audit Service Manager is attached marked 15.

Contact:  Ceri Pilawski (01743) 252027

15.1    Consideration was given to the report of the Audit Services Manager  -  copy attached to the signed Minutes  -  which provided members with details of the work undertaken by Internal Audit for the year ending 31 March 2014 and also gave an update on progress made against the Audit Annual Work Plan.

15.2    The Audit Services Manager reported on the 164 final reports which contained 1,651 recommendations in total and stated that 123 good and reasonable assurances made, 24 limited and 17 unsatisfactory opinions issued.   She indicated that despite the increase, the direction of travel was good and management teams had given an assurance to seek to make further improvements.  Members were pleased to note that 98% of the revised Audit Annual Work Plan had been delivered which had exceeded the 90% target.

15.3    RESOLVED:

(a)       That the performance against the Audit Plan for the year ending 31 March 2014 be noted.

(b)       That it be noted that the system of internal control is effectively operating and can be relied upon when considering the Annual Governance Statement for 2013/14.

(c)        That it be accepted that the Audit Service Manager’s qualified year end opinion on the Council’s internal control environment for 2013/14 on the basis of the work undertaken and management responses received.