Agenda item
Final Internal Audit Progress Report 2012/13
This report summaries the work of Internal Audit and the Investigation Team and provides an update on progress since the previous report to this Committee on 20th March 2013
Minutes:
Simon Lane, Head of Audit and Investigation informed the Committee that the report updated members on progress against the 2012/13 action plan. He highlighted that 40 audit days were not completed, primarily relating to IT audits due to the move to the civic centre. Simon Lane advised the committee that he was concerned about slow progress against this year’s plan in the first quarter due to a number of audits having to be postponed following requests from management. Simon Lane informed the Committee that draft reports had been issued on all planned audits, other than those mentioned above and that there had been an increase in the proportion of substantial assurance reports from 42% to 67% and two audits receiving full assurances. The Head of Audit and Investigation highlighted audits that had received a limited assurance and drew the members’ attention to the audit of the appointment of interims and consultants. Simon Lane explained that work was being undertaken by People and Development to address the issues by drawing up a centralised register of consultants, reviewing pay of consultants in post for long periods of time and revising policies regarding the appointment of consultants. It was requested that a future update be provided to the Committee. Other areas of concern included: oyster cards, direct payments and personal budgets, and home care.
During discussion it was noted that the anti fraud and corruption policy had recently been approved and was in the process of being rolled out across the Council. In relation to case load, large numbers of housing benefit fraud cases had not been investigated due to the high number of referrals and the limited resources available to investigate, including three vacancies within a team of five investigators. It was clarified that a screening process took place to prioritise cases where the necessary information was available. In response to a query about increasing resources it was pointed out that, ultimately, housing benefit was paid by local government on behalf of the Department for Work & Pensions and, therefore, additional resources should not be allocated in this area. It was highlighted that 18 cases of internal fraud were found, resulting in five dismissals and 10 resignations before action could be taken. Members queried the current vacant posts within the housing benefit fraud team and although one post had been appointed to, it was clarified that due to the uncertainty regarding universal credit and the Single Fraud Investigation Service, it was difficult to attract persons to the posts. Members queried Brent’s performance regarding fraud in relation to other London Boroughs. Simon Lane explained Brent targeted high value cases, which inevitably took longer than lower value cases so the level of overpayment identified was high when compared to other councils but the number of sanctions achieved was lower. It was agreed that a report would be brought to a future Committee on this issue.
RESOLVED:
that the report be noted;
that an update be provided to a future meeting regarding consultants;
that a report be provided regarding housing benefit fraud comparison data.
Supporting documents:
- internal-audit-progress-report, item 7. PDF 168 KB
- internal-audit-progress-report-app-1, item 7. PDF 239 KB
- internal-audit-progress-report-app-2, item 7. PDF 161 KB