Issue - meetings

To detail the approach proposed for Internal Audit Services at South Holland District Council from 1 October 2022 (report of the Assistant Director – Finance enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Finance, which detailed the approach proposed for Internal Audit Services at South Holland District Council from 1 October 2022.

DECISION:

That the appointment of Assurance Lincolnshire as the Council’s Internal auditors, with effect from 1 October 2022, be approved.

(Other options considered:

·         Continue contract with Eastern Internal Audit Services – this is not possible as formal notice has been served on the Council by the consortium.

·         Undertake a market procurement process – this is a viable proposal but there are costs and officer time that would be incurred and no evidence that the market will respond positively.  The proposal set out in the report enables a cost efficient and seamless transfer to a local authority hosted service that has a track record of providing a quality service to a range of other local authority customers, including Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council.

Reasons for decision:

·         To build resilience into the internal audit service and allow a greater consistency in approach across the Partnership in order to ensure ongoing conformity with the professional standards).