To review the progress of audit recommendations implementation.

The chairperson used his discretion and moved this item to the first substantive item for discussion.

The head of corporate performance introduced the report, details of which are outlined in the agenda pack for the meeting.

In respect of the outstanding actions which are as set out in appendix A to the report, the head of educational development, assistant director all ages commissioning, assistant director adult social care and assistant director talkcommunity were present to answer committee member questions.

Property maintenance for schools

An update was provided and it was confirmed that the action would be completed by the revised completion date of September 2021.

It was noted that the head of educational development had only been in post for approx. 1 year and the internal audit action had not been brought to their attention.  The head of corporate performance and interim deputy monitoring officer agreed to look at the processes for ensuring internal audit actions are brought to the attention of new post holders.

Domiciliary Care (Re-tendering of HomeCare)

This was a long standing piece of contract and the contract had been extended to October 2021.   The work was ongoing and there had been an all members’ briefing, there would be a report to scrutiny and then cabinet would be taking the decision. 

It was confirmed that there was a comprehensive review of income charging being undertaken.  Income charge was defined as any revenue coming into the council from, e.g. service users.  

Continuing Health Care (CHC)

It was acknowledged that there had been a delay due to Covid-19. 

The dispute process was being finalised and there was no indication that the deadline could not be met.   There will be a report to scrutiny on how CHC assessment would be undertaken in the future.

Healthy Lifestyles

An update on the actions was provided and all bar 1 had now been completed and would be completed by the revised target date.

It was noted that the healthy lifestyles team had been re-deployed as link workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

General

It was confirmed that where any internal audits identified priority 1 or 2 recommendations, then there was a planned follow up process to review the completion of the actions.

It was commented that it may be helpful for the scrutiny committees to receive details of internal audit actions and follow up actions.

The committee suggested that a discussion with internal audit take place at the next meeting with regard to sampling of priority 3 actions are followed up by internal audit in line with the same way priority 1 or 2 recommendations. 

RESOLVED:

The status of current audit recommendations be reviewed and the committee determine any recommendations it wishes to make in order to provide further assurance that risks identified by audit activity are being actively managed