Mark Niblock, Chief Internal Auditor, introduced his report that identified and evaluated the performance of the Internal Audit Section and included four items of note arising from the actual work undertaken during the period 1 January 2020 to 21 February 2020. The items of note were:

• National Fraud Initiative (NFI)
• Wirral Health and Care Commissioning
• Procurement Rules (also subject of a separate report on the meeting agenda)
• Wirral Growth Company

Details of audit work undertaken in these areas and actions arising were provided to the committee.

The Internal Audit Manager provided a brief update on internal audit activity over the reporting period as attached at Appendix 1 to the report that detailed the audits completed, identifying opinions provided and a current BRAG rating indicating the current status of the report and progress being made by officers to address identified issues.

The report provided further update on the Internal Audit Performance Indicators and actions to provide continuous improvement to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Internal Audit Service, namely the Improvement and Development Plan that incorporated new and developing areas of best practice from across the profession – to ensure that the service continued to constantly challenge how efficient and effective it was at delivering its service to all of its stakeholders, making any relevant changes and improvements as required.

At the conclusion of the Chief Internal Audit’s report, the Chair expressed thanks to the Officer and the internal audit team for their work over the past municipal year.

Resolved - That the report be noted.