Issue - meetings

Report of Director of Resources enclosed.

The Director of Resources submitted, for information, the internal audit annual report  for 2020/21 along with the audit opinion for the 2020/21 financial year.

The Report noted that:

·         Having reviewed the work of the internal audit team and the Mersey Internal Audit Agency (MIAA), it was concluded that sufficient assurance work had been carried out to allow the provision of an overall opinion in respect of the 2020/21 financial year of ‘substantial assurance’ on the adequacy and effectiveness of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s internal control environment.

·         The audit function had been impacted by recruitment difficulties, but it was recognised that this was a national issue and one also being shared by neighbouring authorities.

·         Work was ongoing to successfully recruit to the post of Internal Audit Manager and until that was possible, the services of MIAA would continue to be used.