Issue - meetings

That the report and appendix be accepted, and that further updates be reflected as part of the Internal Audit Progress Report.

The Internal Audit, Performance and Risk Manager introduced the update report on outstanding audit actions within the Housing & Communities portfolio, as requested at the previous meeting.

The Chief Officer (Housing & Communities) advised that evidence recently shared with the Internal Audit service would be analysed to enable some of the actions to be closed down.

On Maes Gwern, Sally Ellis felt that time was needed to review the evidence now that financial aspects appeared to have been resolved.  She suggested that the Committee be kept informed of progress on outstanding actions as part of Internal Audit Progress Reports.  In acknowledging the demands upon the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation service, she said that the follow-up audit would provide assurance to the Committee whilst regular progress was monitored by Overview & Scrutiny.

The Chair explained that the update was to ensure that information was being made available to Internal Audit, as had been indicated previously.  He agreed with Sally Ellis’ suggestions on the way forward.

As requested by Councillor Bernie Attridge, the Strategic Housing & Program Delivery Manager provided an update on actions for Maes Gwern.

The Housing & Prevention Services Manager said that information had been passed to Internal Audit and that work would continue with that service to close down the remaining actions on Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation.  In response to questions, he provided information on policy reporting arrangements and the need for further investment to resolve system overrides on the Single Access Route to Housing (SARTH).

Following concerns from Councillor Geoff Collett about apparent unresolved issues, the Strategic Housing & Program Delivery Manager spoke about learning taken from the Maes Gwern project and specifically the need to recognise achievements.

Councillor Glyn Banks supported the proposal for future updates through the progress reporting mechanism.  He asked about outstanding audit actions under Streetscene & Transportation and was informed that two high priority actions had been closed since the last meeting.

Brian Harvey also spoke in support of the proposed reporting approach and asked how lessons from the Maes Gwern project would be captured and fed into Council processes.

Sally Ellis referred to a formal post-project review and was assured that this would be undertaken with the contractor following the resolution of outstanding issues.

The Chair summarised the views expressed by the Committee that a further report was not required as actions would be monitored by Internal Audit and reflected through progress reporting.

On that basis, the recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Ted Palmer and Geoff Collett.

RESOLVED:

That the report and appendix be accepted, and that further updates be reflected as part of the Internal Audit Progress Report.