Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review Committee Item 9

15th March 2007

Recommendations and Actions arising from Internal Audit Reports

Report of 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 12^th September 2006, action plans had been agreed for Internal Audit reports on the following subjects:

Audits from the Audit Plan for 2005/06

· Property Management

· Overtime

Audits from the Audit Plan for 2006/07

· Havant Fire Station

· Budgetary control

· Petty cash

· Back pay overpayment review

· Debtors and cash income

· Workshops stores

· Members expenses

· Retained Firefighter payments

· Data Protection and Freedom of Information

· Unofficial funds

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 reports. (appendices 2 to 4). It should be noted that there are a number of recommendations that are overdue against their target date for implementation. Details regarding actions being taken to resolve the issues are recorded against each one. The Performance Review Team will continue to monitor and report on their progress.

1.3 Details regarding issues raised at the previous meeting of 12^th September 2006 have been summarised in Appendix 1.

2 Recommendation

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

3 Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

3.1 The 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 helps to ensure that resources are managed and used effectively.

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 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:

Internal Audit reports

Appendix 1 Internal Audit Recommendations - items requiring further explanation at previous meeting (12/09/2006)

Appendix 2 Internal Audit Recommendations - Actions Overdue

Appendix 3 Internal Audit Recommendations - Actions Ongoing

Appendix 4 Internal Audit Recommendations - Actions Completed