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Internal audit and inspections

The internal audit service to the Council is currently provided under contract by Assurance Lincolnshire.

It is a statutory requirement that local authorities have an adequate internal audit function, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 (s.151) and the The Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2011. 

The constitution of the Council also sets out the responsibilities of the service within the financial regulations (PDF File, 798kb).

What does the internal audit process involve?

The service provides all appropriate internal audit functions in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit in Local Government in the United Kingdom 2006.

The core service provided is to appraise and report on the adequacy of systems employed by management to secure:

  • compliance with external and internal regulations
  • achievement of goals and objectives
  • reliability and integrity of management information
  • efficient and effective use of resources
  • security of assets

The audit team reviews the:

  • effectiveness of internal controls within the organisation
  • soundness, adequacy and application of the system controls established by management
  • measures taken by management to protect the organisation from waste, extravagance or poor value for money
  • that the organisation's assets and interests are accounted for and safeguarded from loss

The service also provides an advisory service to managers and undertakes special investigations and ad-hoc assignments if requested.

Other audit provisions

The Council is also subject to various inspections and audit from external bodies including Mazars who are currently our external auditors.

Audit and Governance Committee

Our Audit and Governance Committee is currently made up of 12 elected members.

The purpose of this committee is to provide those charged with governance independent assurance on the adequacy of the risk management framework, the internal control environment and the integrity of the Council's financial reporting and governance process.

Internal audit reports

Internal audit submit reports to the audit and accounts committee covering the audit plan, audit reports issued and an end of year report giving a statement as to the overall control environment.

Other reports may be issued on an ad-hoc basis throughout the year. 

All these reports are available within the committee area of the website - select the ‘search documents’ tab and look for internal audit.

If you have any questions about this process, email us on audit@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or call 01636 655317 and ask for internal audit.