Agenda item

2.40 p.m.

Report by Director of Finance.

This report presents the Internal Audit progress report for 2021/22.

The committee is RECOMMENDED to

a)    Note the progress with the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits.

b)   Note the Blue Badge Enforcement Strategy.

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Finance updating the Committee on the Internal Audit Service, including resources, and completed and planned audits.

It was recommended that the Committee –

(a)  Note the progress with the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits; and

(b)  Note the Blue Badge Enforcement Strategy.

Sarah Cox, Chief Internal Auditor, presented the report.

In the subsequent discussion, the following points were raised.

(a)  Regarding Appendix 1, 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan – Progress Report: Environment & Place (Page 49), a new system to ensure the accuracy of payments had been implemented and it was for this reason that the Highways Contract Management Audit would start in Q4.

(b)  The Red Flag next to GDPR: Information Audit (Pages 57 & 58) reflected weaknesses in the Asset Register Information which had now been addressed with officers looking at ways in which this might be improved.

The Chair proposed that this topic be referred to the Audit Working Group (AWG).

ACTION: Chief Internal Auditor to include GDP 2021/22 on AWG Forward Workplan.

(c)   Keith Stenning, Community Operations, Oxfordshire County Council, provided information on the agency agreement between Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council for the implementation, operation, and enforcement of the Blue Badge scheme.

(d)  Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) 2021/22 (Pages 61 – 63):

Sarah Cox, Chief Internal Auditor, noted the complexities of PCI issues but stated she was satisfied that the Green RAG rating was appropriate.

(e)  In response to questions about the misuse of Blue Badges on private land and the time spent on enforcement of the Blue Badge scheme compared with other local authorities, Mr Stenning noted that the Council had no enforcement powers on private land and enforcement in City Council car parks was determined by the arrangements between the County Council and the respective District Councils.

Regarding the time allocated to enforcement of the scheme, Tessa Clayton, Audit Manager, Oxfordshire County Council, stated that it varied considerably how much time individual local authorities spent on Blue Badge enforcement. Ms Clayton stated that officers were satisfied that the amount of time Oxfordshire County Council spent on enforcement was proportionate and would be reassessed, if necessary. She noted that time spent by Oxfordshire County Council on enforcement was about average when compared with other local authorities.

(f)    Environment & Place Capital Programme – Major Infrastructure (Page 51): Ms Baxter, Director of Finance, stated the 2021/22 internal audit had been deferred while a fundamental review took place and that this would be reviewed as part of the 2022/23 audit planning process.

(g)  Mr Stenning apprised the Members of the enforcement process in relation to blue badges and the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure enforcement performance.

ACTION: Community Operations (KS) to provide Members with copies of the Blue Badge scheme KPIs.

(h)  Officers reported on the misuse of Blue Badges either with or without the knowledge of the Blue Badge holder and the implications, thereof.

(i)    Fleet Management (Compliance) 2021/22: Ms Cox updated the Committee on the Fleet Management Review and the measures that were being put in place to address concerns that had been identified.

The Chair proposed it would be appropriate for an update report on Fleet Management Compliance to be sent to the Audit Working Group.

ACTION:  Chief Internal Auditor to include Fleet Management 2021/22 on the AWG Forward Workplan.

(j)    Revocation of Blue Badges: officers informed Members of the Committee about the policies and procedures for revoking Blue Badges.

(k)   Blue Badges and ANPR[1] Enforcement: Mr Stenning and Lucie Maycock, Customer & Culture, Oxfordshire County Council, advised Members that Blue Badges were not registered to specific vehicles, and the implications this had for enforcement and penalty notices in relation to the Blue Badge scheme.

RESOLVED: to –

(a)  Note the progress with the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits; and

(b)  Note the Blue Badge Enforcement Strategy.