Report of Internal Audit

Contact: Barry Hanson

That the performance against the Audit Plan for the year ended 31 March 2024 be endorsed.

That it be noted that the system of governance, risk management and internal control operating effectively and can be relied upon when considering the Annual Governance Statement for 2023/24.

That the Chief Audit Executive’s substantial year end opinion on West Mercia Energy’s governance, risk management and internal control environment for 2023/24 based on the work undertaken and management responses received be endorsed.

Barry Hanson, Head of Policy and Governance, Internal Audit presented the report which provided a summary of Internal Audit’s work for 2023/24. He reported that four good assurance opinions had been given in respect of the finance, debtors, procurement, corporate governance and risk management systems and a reasonable assurance opinion was provided in respect of the IT Strategy. It was added that a total of six recommendations had been made over the five audit areas reviewed in the year with one significant issue highlighted relating to the IT Strategy.

In response to a query from a member regarding the debtors system it was stated that this would be followed up as part of the 2024/25 audit programme.

RESOLVED:

1. That the performance against the Audit Plan for the year ended 31 March 2024 be endorsed.

2. That it be noted that the system of governance, risk management and internal control operating effectively and can be relied upon when considering the Annual Governance Statement for 2023/24.

3. That the Chief Audit Executive’s substantial year end opinion on West Mercia Energy’s governance, risk management and internal control environment for 2023/24 based on the work undertaken and management responses received be endorsed.