The Chief Internal Auditor introduced his report which identified the Internal Audit Plan of work for 2022-23, with proposed themed areas. The audit service worked on a twelve-month cycle but needed to be dynamic and flexible to allow for significant changes and the plan had that built in, with emphasis on themes, reflecting best auditing practice. There would be engagement with chief officers and Members to ensure new risks were captured and considered.

Members were interested in seeing more detail on the prioritisation and timescales and that was to be provided outside of the meeting with regular updates included in reports to future meetings. It was noted that there were several networks of peers who were utilised to ensure best practice was followed and relevant new risks were identified. In questions about the Council and Pension Fund’s involvement with Russia and the national Government’s sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, it was clarified that the Pension Fund had 0.25% invested with Russia and the Council was looking at its own contracts to uncover any links. A further update on this was to be provided to the next meeting.

Resolved –

That the work proposed in the Internal Audit Plan for 2022-23 in accordance with the terms of reference for the Audit and Risk Management Committee be endorsed.