Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review Committee Item 6

20^th June 2007

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 15^th March 2007, action plans had been agreed for Internal Audit reports on the following subjects:

Audits from the 2006/07 Audit Plan

· Urban Search and Rescue

· Security and Password Controls

· Databases

· Creditors

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).

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 Background

3.1 The Internal Audit service is provided to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service by Audit Services at Hampshire County Council. There is an audit strategy in place, which was approved by the Corporate Governance Committee in March 2006.

3.2 A three year Audit Plan is compiled by Internal Audit Services after giving each system a risk assessment rating and liaising with the Director of Corporate Services, and the Head of Financial and Office Services. The Plan is approved by the Governance Committee on an annual basis. A copy of the Audit Plan for 2007/08 is appended to this report for Members' information.

3.3 The purpose of the Internal Audit action reports that are presented to the Performance Review Committee is to keep Members informed in respect of the progress against the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Internal Audits.

4 Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

4.1 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 be in the top 10 fire and rescue services in the country."

5 Resource Implications

5.1 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.

6 Equality Impact Assessment

6.1 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.

6.2 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.

7 Risk Analysis

7.1 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

Internal Audit Strategy and Plan

Appendix 1 Internal Audit Plan 2007-10 and audit assignments for 2007/08

Appendix 2 Internal Audit Recommendations - Actions Overdue

Appendix 3 Internal Audit Recommendations - Actions Ongoing

Appendix 4 Internal Audit Recommendations - Actions Completed