Agenda item

6.1

The Chair noted that this was a disappointing report with many long-term outstanding recommendations that had not been completed.

6.2

Linda Hunter, Finance Manager, explained that this was a rolling report on progress made against audit report recommendations.  Three new reports had been added.

6.3

There were 52 recommendations active and 25 had been fully completed.  Work had started on many of the recommendations.  There were 4 critical recommendations.  The report had been submitted to EMT and the progress had been noted.  The concerns of the Committee would be communicated to EMT.

6.4

The recommendations regarding Subject Access Requests and Early Payments to Care Providers had now been completed and could be removed from the tracker report.

6.5

Councillor Angela Argenzio echoed the disappointment of the Chair, especially with regard to the IT recommendations and welcomed the referral to EMT.  Was the issue with the recommendations to do with budget or resources?

6.6

Councillor Simon Clement-Jones asked a question about progress on the ANPR Audit report and why it had not been included within the progress report.

6.7

Linda Hunter responded that recommendations were only included in the progress report once the deadline for implementation had passed.  Each portfolio was responsible for tracking their own recommendations. 

6.8

Councillor Mohammed Mahroof expressed concerns regarding the recommendation for providing training for Council staff to identify fraud.  Gillian Duckworth, monitoring Officer explained that the recommendation was to provide an online training course for staff, but that other training was being provided.  Linda Hunter confirmed that a course had been drafted and was awaiting upload to the Council’s training hub.

6.9

RESOLVED that:-

(1)  That the Audit and Standards Committee notes the content of the report;

(2)  That the Audit and Standards Committee agrees to the removal of the following reports from the tracker:

•        Early Payments to Care Providers

•      Subject Access Requests

(3)  The Audit and Standards Committee expressed its deep concern and disappointment to EMT regarding the progress of some of the critical recommendations and asked for a report back from EMT to the next Committee.