Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Jones introduced the report and explained that as part of the Internal Audit programme of work for 2022/23 an audit of deferred charges and the management of residential care liabilities in Social Services was undertaken.

A Deferred Payment was only available for individuals who were receiving care and support in a residential or nursing care home setting. It was an agreement between the individual in receipt of care and the Council which allowed for a deferment or a delay in paying for care costs until a later date. The costs deferred were repaid at a future date.

During the Internal Audit of the existing Deferred Payment process eight actions were identified as needing action, five of which were red and three amber.

Since the completion of the audit report the Financial Assessment and Charging

Team had established a Task and Finish Group to address the agreed actions,

this work was taking place alongside the implementation of a new finance software

system which would support the additional monitoring and control measures identified in the audit report.

The report had been submitted to Governance and Audit Committee and Social and Health Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the information on the actions taken since the completion of the Internal Audit report be noted; and

(b)       That Members be assured that the remaining actions are being undertaken within the timescales laid out in the audit report and that progress is being monitored effectively.