Decision details

Internal Audit Progress Report

Decision Maker: Audit, Risk and Governance Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Purpose:

In the context of the committee's responsibility to consider updates on the Internal Audit Service's work including key findings, issues of concern and action being taken as a result of internal audit work, the committee is asked to consider the internal audit progress report and outcomes of the work for 2019/20 for the period to 31 December 2019.

Decisions:

Ruth Lowry, Head of Internal Audit, presented a report outlining the updates on the Internal Audit Service's work. The report included key findings, issues of concern and actions undertaken as a result of the work. The committee considered the final internal audit progress report and outcomes of the work for 2019/20 for the period to 31 December 2019.

 

The following areas of the report were highlighted:

 

·  The numbers of audits undertaken and amendments to the audit plan with the reasons for the changes. 

 

·  The last action outstanding from 2017/18 related to the Public Health Commissioning Strategy and could now be closed as the original action identified had been superseded by a new action plan. 

 

·  Favourable assurance had been given in the majority of areas audited. Substantial assurance had been given in relation to the council's risk management framework and, as was reported later on the agenda, this was also subject to further improvement.

 

·  Detailed action plans were in place to address 'safeguarding service user finances in the Supported Living Service' and 'children's direct payments', where limited assurance had been given.

 

Members commented that they would like to see swift progress to improve the safeguarding of service user finances in the Supported Living Service. Ian Crabtree commented that concerns had been identified by the service in this area and as a result, input from the Internal Audit Service had been requested to improve the consistency of approach. The county council continued to provide services to people with disabilities. Supported living schemes and short break services were all rated 'Good' with some short break services and its Shared Lives service rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

 

Resolved: That

 

(i)  The Internal Audit progress report, as presented, be noted.

 

(ii)  Adult and Children's Service officers present a report to 19 October 2020 Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, updating members of progress made against areas with limited assurance.

Divisions Affected: (All Divisions);

Contact: Ruth Lowry Email: ruth.lowry@lancashire.gov.uk.

Report author: Ruth Lowry

Date of decision: 27/01/2020

Decided at meeting: 27/01/2020 - Audit, Risk and Governance Committee

Accompanying Documents: