Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review Committee Item 5

12th September 2006

Recommendations and Actions arising from Internal Audit Reports

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Philip Webb, Performance Review Manager

Telephone: 023 8062 6828

E-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 At the time of writing this report, since the Performance Review Committee meeting on 16^th June 2006, action plans had been agreed for Internal Audit reports on the following subjects:

Audits from the Audit Plan for 2005/06:

· Vehicle procurement

· Asset management and inventories

· Payroll

· Creditors

· Clothing and operational stores

· Insurance costs and compensation

· Corporate governance

· Travel and subsistence

Audits from the Audit Plan for 2006/07:

· Copnor Fire Station

· Alresford Fire Station

· Hardley Fire Station

· Burley Fire Station

· Stockbridge Fire Station

· Cosham Fire Station

1.2 Progress towards meeting the recommendations made in the above mentioned Internal Audit reports, and those ongoing from previous audits is shown in the attached report. I am pleased to say that there are no recommendations where actions are outstanding.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That the Performance Review Committee accepts the Internal Audit Action Report and agrees to monitor the progress of ongoing actions.

3. Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

3.1 Implementation of internal audit recommendations assists the Authority in the strategic planning process and performance management framework of the Authority. This, in turn, assists the Authority in achieving Corporate Aim (5) "to become one of the top 20% of high performing Fire and Rescue Services in the Country."

4. Resource Implications

4.1 There are no direct resource implications arising from this report. Implementing Audit recommendations helps to ensure that the Authority secures value for money and utilises resources to their best.

5. Equality Impact Assessment

5.1 Carrying out equality impact assessments will strengthen our Internal Audit practices by ensuring that the consequences of our proposed policies and actions comply with current legislation and expectations for improving equality and diversity in the workplace and in our delivery of services to the public.

5.2 The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Resources Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

6. Risk Analysis

6.1 Failure to implement any Internal Audit recommendations clearly leaves the Authority vulnerable to the consequences of the identified risks and weaknesses in control. These progress reports are considered to be an important process within the Authority's Strategic Risk Management Strategy. They ensure that Members are fully aware of any problems associated with addressing the issues raised and the priority given to driving down or eliminating specific risks.

Background information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

None

Appendix A Internal Audit Recommendations - Completed

Appendix B Internal Audit Recommendations - Ongoing