Internal audit provides assurance to members, the Strategic Leadership Team and the Director of Finance and Public Value on the adequacy and security of systems that the County Council relies on for its internal financial and management control.
Its role is to understand the key risks of the Council, to examine and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of risk management throughout the organisation, and contribute to the proper, economic, efficient, and effective use of resources.
Internal audit also:
- supports the Section 151 Officer to discharge their statutory duties
- contributes to and supports finance in ensuring the provision of, and promoting the need for, sound financial systems
- supports the corporate efficiency and resource management processes by conducting value for money and efficiency studies and supporting the work of corporate working groups as appropriate
- provides a quality fraud investigation service which safeguards public monies
The Devon Assurance Partnership provides assurance services including internal audit, counter fraud, risk management, consultancy, governance and business improvement to the Council.
Its work over the last year has included joint work with Devon’s district councils to tackle the incorrect application of single person discounts related to Council Tax.
As at June 2024, three district council exercises had been completed and the results have been confirmed, resulting in over 1,000 single person discounts being withdrawn with a collectible revenue uplift value of almost £600,000.
Two further districts are currently undertaking the exercise and initial indications are that similar proportionate results are expected. The two remaining councils have committed to doing so and to completing the exercise by March 2025. This work has been recognised by the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation.