Contents
Report 12 of the 14 June 2010 meeting of the Corporate Governance Committee, with an update on outstanding high-risk MPA Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA) recommendations.
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High-risk audit recommendations
Report: 12
Date: 14 June 2010
By: Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner
Summary
This report updates Members in relation to the outstanding high-risk MPA Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA) recommendations, as at 17 May 2010.
A. Recommendation
That Members note the status of all outstanding high-risk recommendations made in relation to MPS control systems by the Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance.
B. Supporting information
1. This report summarises the present status of accepted high-risk recommendations made by the Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance and details the ongoing process by which the MPS responds to audit recommendations.
Progress report on high-risk audit recommendations
2. Since the last report to Corporate Governance Committee (CGC) on 22 March 2010, a further high risk audit recommendation has been made by DARA and accepted by MPS. This recommendation relates to the governance arrangements of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU) reported as an exempt item. Details of all of the high risk audit recommendations can be found in Appendix 1, with details of exempt audit recommendations at Exempt Appendix 2. Progress to ensure the outstanding recommendations are addressed as a high priority continues to be co-ordinated by the Quality Assurance Team (QAT) in Finance Services.
Current Position
3. Including the new recommendation, there are now 11 DARA high-risk recommendations outstanding to the MPS, with a further two outstanding to the MPA Treasurer.
4. The table below provides detail of the outstanding recommendations, comparing the current position with that reported to the previous two CGC meetings in December 2009 and March 2010.
Table 1: High-Risk DARA recommendations
| Ref Nos.* | Audit Title (responsible Business Group) | No of High-Risk Recommendations outstanding to MPS | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2009 | Mar 2010 | Jun 2010 | |||
| 1 | Systems for Intelligence & Detection - (DoI) | 1 | 0 | 0 | Now downgraded to a medium risk - see progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 2 | Palace Of Westminster - (SO17) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 3 | Crime Related Property - (TP) | 1 | 1 | 1 | See progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 4 | H & S Legislation Implementation - (HR) | 1 | 1 | 1 | See progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 5 | Diplomatic Protection Group - (SO6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | Outstanding to MPA Treasurer |
| 6 | Royalty and Specialist Protection - (SO1/SO14) | 0 | 0 | 0 | Outstanding to MPA Treasurer |
| 7 | Security Vetting and Clearance - (SO15) | 2 | 2 | 2 | See progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 8 | IS/IT Access & Usage - (DoI) | 1 | 1 | 1 | See progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 9 | B/OCU - Corporate Issues - (DoR) | 2 | 2 | 2 | See progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 10 | Crime Reporting Information System - (DoI) | 0 | 2 | 2 | See progress report at Appendix 1 |
| 11 | NPOIU - (SO) | 0 | 0 | 1 | See progress report at Appendix 2 |
| Total | 9 | 10 | 11 | ||
*(see Table at App. 1)
Process by which the MPS responds to audit recommendations
5. The Audit and Inspection Protocol agreed between the MPS and the audit and inspection services in November 2008 enables all parties to work together to enhance delivery and response to audit and inspection programmes and ensure that maximum benefit is achieved. The QAT in MPS Finance Services has recently reviewed the protocol in consultation with MPS Business Groups, MPA DARA, HMIC and the Audit Commission. It is anticipated that a refreshed protocol will be published shortly.
6. Outstanding high-risk recommendations are reported on a quarterly basis to the MPS Governance Board and the External Audit and Inspection Partnership Meeting attended by representatives from DARA, the Audit Commission and HMIC. Additionally, DARA is updated at meetings with Finance Services in relation to the development of audit recommendation tracking and reporting.
C. Race and equality impact
There are no direct implications for equality and diversity arising from this report.
D. Financial implications
The direct costs associated with the audit activity outlined within this report are covered within existing budgets. Any additional financial implications will form part of the individual audit reports. In addition, any financial matters highlighted will be addressed through completion of the recommendations and areas for improvement identified.
E. Legal implications
Regulation 4 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003, (the ‘Regulations’) as amended by the 2006 Regulations, states that the MPA are required to have a sound system of internal control, which facilitates the effective exercise of that body’s functions, which includes arrangements for the management of risk, and conduct of an annual review. There is also a legal requirement under the Regulations for a Committee to review the effectiveness of the system of control.
This report assists the MPA’s/MPS’ compliance with the requirements referred to above.
The Corporate Governance Committee is in receipt of delegated powers in respect of the internal system of control procedures including risk management and is in receipt of the appropriate authority to approve the contents of this report.
F. Background papers
- None
G. Contact details
Report author: Nick Rogers, Director of Group Finance, Finance Services
For information contact:
MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18
Supporting material
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