Agenda item

The Internal Audit Consortium Manager presented a report summarising the internal audit reports issued during the period 26 August – 20 October, 2017 in respect of reports relating to the 2017/18 internal audit plan.

It was noted that of the six reports issued during the stated time period, one was given ‘Substantial Assurance’, two were given ‘Reasonable Assurance’, and three were given ‘Limited Assurance’.  There were no reports given the ‘Inadequate Assurance’ classification.

The Committee welcomed the Licensing Manager who provided an update on the progress of implementing the recommendations in the ‘Taxi Licensing’ audit report, issued on 8 September, 2017.

It was advised that a monthly checking system had been put in place to monitor the taxi drivers that are due to update their Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) record check.  It was noted that reminder letters are issued at regular stages and that a final letter is sent 2 days following a missed submission.  This confirms that failing to submit an updated DBS check will result in being summoned before the Appeals and Regulatory Committee.

The Committee heard that training had been made mandatory for all current and new taxi drivers in Chesterfield, with those failing to attend training at risk of being called to the Appeals and Regulatory Committee.  There had been an increase in the number of taxi drivers that had received training and information on safeguarding, with over half of the fleet having been trained as at 22 November, 2017. 

The Licensing Manager informed the Committee that the training package created by Chesterfield Borough Council had been shared and used by other local authorities within Derbyshire.

It was reported that discussions are ongoing with neighbouring authorities in relation to undertaking joint training and sharing best practice.  Online training for taxi drivers had been considered an option for future training requirements.

The Committee thanked the Licensing Manager for attending.

The Committee welcomed the Assistant Director – Customers, Commissioning and Change, to provide an update on the progress of implementing the recommendations in the Data Protection report, issued on 22 September, 2017.

It was reported that while some Council staff had not yet completed the mandatory training modules on data protection, measures had been put in place to increase the completion rate, including the creation of corporate email accounts and logins for those not regularly using the Council IT systems.  Additional resources had been provided, including an Information Assurance Manager and Information Rights Officer, to ensure that improvements could be made in relation to data protection.

In addition, discussions had been held with a number of services to ensure that staff received the adequate time in the workplace to complete their mandatory training, or additional pay extra hours incurred outside of their standard working hours.

It was advised that disciplinary procedures could be used in the event that some staff members did not undergo the mandatory data protection training modules.

The Committee heard that the Council is confident that all recommended remedial work will be completed to allow a timely Public Services Network submission by January, 2018, and that it would work towards meeting the General Data Protection Regulations requirements.

The Committee agreed to continue to monitor this matter and thanked the Assistant Director – Customers, Commissioning and Change Manager for attending.

The Internal Audit Consortium Manager presented to the Committee the main findings and key issues relating to the ‘Queen’s Park Sports Centre’ audit report, issued on 21 August, 2017.

It was reported that since the Health and Wellbeing Manager post had become vacant, the Executive Director, James Drury, had worked closely with the Interim Leisure Services Manager to ensure that recommendations are being worked on.

The Committee heard that a total of 14 recommendations remained outstanding as at 22 November, 2017, including a number of recommendations from the previous audit that had not been fully implemented.

* RESOLVED –

1.   That the progress reported be noted.

2.   That the other managers responsible for outstanding internal audit recommendations arising from ‘Limited Assurance’ reported be asked to attend the next meeting of the Standards and Audit Committee on 7 February, 2018 to report progress.