The Internal Audit Service provides risk management, internal audit, advice and investigatory services to the county council. We review and give assurance on the controls in place to manage the risks that our face. This includes:
- strategic planning
- people management
- collaborations with other organisations
- IT
- use of resources
- procurement
- finance
To do this we use a programme of audits which we discuss and agree with strategic directors and assistant directors before the start of each financial year.
The aim of each audit is to give an independent and objective opinion to managers on the adequacy of controls in place to manage risks within services. We will usually issue a report for every audit which documents our findings and incorporates an action plan which has been agreed with the relevant manager to address any weaknesses.
We report to the Audit and Standards Committee on the results of each audit and the progress with delivering the annual audit plan. We also have regular liaison meetings with assistant directors to make sure that the work we do contributes to the highest areas of risk across the council.
Audit charter
An audit charter is a mandatory requirement of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and the associated Local Government Application Note (PSIAS) and sets out the purpose, responsibilities and authority of the internal audit service within Warwickshire County Council.
The document was approved by the Internal Audit Board on 24 May 2017 and endorsed by the Audit and Standards Committee on 1 June 2017 and applies until amended. To view the charter, select the following link.
Annual report
We produce an annual report which summarises the results of internal audit work completed in the previous year. To view the reports, please see the links below.
- 2018/19 internal audit annual report (PDF, 868 KB)
- 2017/18 internal audit annual report (PDF, 594 KB)
- 2016/17 internal audit annual report (PDF, 177 KB)
- 2015/16 internal audit annual report (PDF, 192 KB)
- 2014/15 internal audit annual report (PDF, 178 KB)
- 2013/14 internal audit annual report (PDF, 650 KB)
- 2012/13 internal audit annual report (PDF, 350 KB)
Annual Governance Statement
The Annual Governance Statement supports the annual statement of accounts. It reports on the council’s compliance with principles and practices of good governance, including how the effectiveness of governance arrangements has been monitored, and sets out the planned actions for the coming year. The statement provides assurance to the council and its stakeholders that good governance arrangements are in place.
- 2018/19 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 1.13 MB)
- 2017/18 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 966 KB)
- 2016/17 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 2.1 MB)
- 2015/16 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 2.1 MB)
- 2014/15 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 2.1 MB)
- 2013/14 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 2.0 MB)
- 2012/13 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 525 KB)
- 2011/12 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 88 KB)
- 2010/11 Annual Governance Statement (PDF, 113 KB)
Reporting fraud
We have a zero tolerance approach to fraud, whether by staff, sub-contractors or customers, and will take a robust approach to investigate and prevent any potential fraudulent activity.
If you suspect dishonesty or fraud is taking place within county council services, you should contact us. We will treat all information in confidence.
- Fraud hotline – 01926 412052
- Secure email: tellusaboutfraud@warwickshire.gov.uk
If you need to report rogue traders or scams please seek advice from Trading Standards on the following link.
Counter fraud, bribery and corruption framework
Our anti-fraud culture is based on preventing fraud occurring in the first place and having zero tolerance for people who commit it. We have an anti-fraud framework in place which outlines our approach to managing the risk of fraud and what we do to prevent it. View the framework on the following link.
National Fraud Initiative
The county council, together with every local authority in the country is required to participate in the National Fraud Initiative. This is run by the Cabinet Office to improve the prevention and detection of fraud with public bodies. Select the following link to find out more.
Whistleblowing
Employees are often the first to realise that there may be something seriously wrong within the county council. However, they may not express their concern because they feel that speaking up would be disloyal to their colleagues or to the council. They may also fear harassment or victimisation or some other impact on their career.
We have a whistleblowing policy in place which outlines how employees can raise issues of concern. Whilst this policy is written for employees, we recognise that it may be applicable to other individuals, members of the public or groups. Download more information on the following link.
Risk management
Our approach to managing risk is explained in the Risk Management Framework which has been approved by Cabinet. Find out more on the following link.