Further detail

The SG Audit Committee handbook states that the Annual Report should summarise the committee’s work for the year and present its opinion against nine statements.

A summary of the committee’s work is shown in Appendix A along with an assessment against nine statements and any other assurance reports.

Whilst this provides for the minimum level of assessment the SPA team are focused on continuous improvement and have also conducted a further more detailed assessment using other guidance from the National Audit Office (The National Audit Office (NAO) Audit and Risk Assurance Committee effectiveness tool).

The NAO tool is based on assessment against statements (179 in total). The tool covers six different categories split across essentials and good practice criteria.

The results indicate full compliance with essential criteria except one statement below. Contact has been made with procurement to ascertain how this gap could be addressed.

Adequate assurance has been obtained on the risk and control environment encompassing services outsourced to external providers, including shared service arrangements, and the wider supply chain.

Results from assessment, utilising the NAO effectiveness tool, are shown at Appendix B which shows very high levels of compliance with best practice.

In the future we will consider further utilising the NAO effectiveness tool to compliment the higher-level SG handbook assessment.

Conclusion
The ARAC has effectively discharged its role and remit effectively over the financial year 2022/23. In the spirit of continuous improvement there are areas for development that officials will consider with Members.