Mark Niblock, Chief Internal Auditor, introduced his report that identified and evaluated the performance of the Internal Audit Service and included three items of note arising from the actual work undertaken during the period 1 November to 31 December 2018. The items of note were:

Commercialism - The Chief Internal Auditor informed that an audit had recently been completed to examine and evaluate the developing processes around Commercialism across the Council, specifically the development, appraisal, acceptance and monitoring of ideas to develop income generation.

Risk Management - Members noted that audit work continued in this area providing best practice guidance and support for officers involved with the implementation of the new arrangements. The outcome of this work is the production of an updated Risk Assurance Map which, upon completion, will be reported to the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

ICT - The Chief Internal Auditor informed that over the reporting period audit work had focussed on the following areas with ongoing work to evaluate and test the effectiveness of controls in operation for:

• Email Security
• Data Security Standards – Payment Cards
• Software Licensing
• Cyber Security Risk Management - Follow Up

The Chief Internal Auditor further apprised the Audit and Risk Management Committee on outstanding audit recommendations, internal audit performance indicators and internal audit developments. He was pleased to report that, at the time of reporting there were no outstanding items and no significant issues arising. The Chief Internal Auditor also provided examples of work underway to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Internal Audit Service.

Resolved – That the report be noted.