Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Audit & Risk Manager.

The Audit & Risk Manager presented her objective review of the Authority’s system of internal control operating during the financial year 2020/21 and her annual opinion.

The Audit & Risk Manager reported that, in her opinion, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s system of internal control during the financial year 2020/21 operated to a level which gave Reasonable Assurance on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation’s framework of governance, risk management and control based on the reduced level of coverage that has been achieved during the year.

A discussion ensued when a Member expressed concern regarding the number of experienced Officers leaving the Authority and asked whether ‘exit interviews’ were being routinely undertaken prior to staff leaving.

In response the Audit & Risk Manager confirmed that OD had a process in place.

A Member referred to Section 2.2.19 of the report and asked whether the Authority had retained any internal IT function.

The Officer said the Council had retained some IT functions, albeit very limited.  The audit of SRS was undertaken by Torfaen, and the Officer said the results could be reported to Committee if Members wanted.  She also pointed out that the lack of an IT Audit was not unique to Blaenau Gwent and that other Authorities were in a similar position

A Member commended the work of the Section, and asked the Audit & Risk Manager whether she was confident with the level of resources within the Section moving forward.

In response the Officer said the Section was currently progressing as normal with development of the Audit Plan.  However, a Senior Audit would be leaving for another Authority and this would impact on the Section in terms of the recruitment and transition process, so it was likely that there would be some disruption for the Service during the year.

A discussion ensued when Members asked that the number of Officers leaving the Authority be looked at.

In response the Audit & Risk Manager said it could be looked at as part of an audit, but it would have to be considered in line with the risk assessment of other audits. 

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the annual opinion of the Audit & Risk Manager be noted as follows:-

‘Based on the findings of the audit work undertaken during 2020/21, in my opinion, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s system of internal control during the financial year 2020/21 operates to a level which gives Reasonable Assurance on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation’s framework of governance, risk management and control, based on the reduced level of coverage that has been achieved during the year.’