PAPER B
AUDIT PANEL – 25 NOVEMBER 2003
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEGAL AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
REASON FOR AUDIT PANEL COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
To publicly receive a report of an audit by the Audit Commission of corporate preparation for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PANEL
To
receive the report of the Audit Commission and note the action plan for
delivery of the rest of the statutory obligations under the Freedom Of
Information Act.
BACKGROUND
The external audit programme, conducted by the Audit Commission, for the municipal year 2003-2004 included a three part audit of corporate responses to new legislation. The first phase focussed on preparation for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”).
The second and third phases, looking at legislation in the social service and education will be reported in due course.
The final draft of the Audit Commission report, including an action plan, is at Appendix 1.
The report is encouraging, placing this authority as best of class or above average (when compared with 13 comparable unitary authorities) in almost all areas audited.
There is, however, no room for complacency as the authority is a little behind where the Information Commissioner believes it needs to be in order to be fully prepared for statutory deadlines in 2005.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The external audit programme is designed to reflect
the CPA Improvement Plan in setting priorities for audit work.
CONSULTATION PROCESS
Although external audit is a generally a participatory process, in this instance no consultation wider than the audit service areas was undertaken. The audit methodology Is matter entirely for the Audit Commission.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
The subject of the audit is the discrete set of new statutory duties under the 2000 Act
APPENDICES ATTACHED
Appendix 1 – Audit Report and Action Plan
BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
None.
Contact Points: John Lawson, Head of Legal and Democratic Services
( (82)3207; [email protected]
Justin Thorne, (82)3212; [email protected]
John Lawson
Head of Legal and Democratic Services