The meeting began with a brief technical issue, but once resolved, the council welcomed new members and discussed various topics, including declarations of interest, outstanding actions, and the internal audit update report.

Internal Audit Update Report

The internal audit update report was a significant focus. Councillor Cowie raised concerns about the number of audits marked in red, amber, and green. Laura Calder, Head of Internal Audit, explained that the audit looks at risk and emphasized the importance of focusing on the right areas, even if it means more issues are found. She noted that the council had an amber annual opinion for the last two years and previously had a red opinion for three to four years.

Policies and Procedures

Councillor Miller and Councillor Jenkinson discussed the importance of policies and procedures. Laura Calder mentioned that while policies provide direction, procedures ensure that work is done correctly. She emphasized the need for documented procedures and quality assurance. Executive directors Amanda Hatton, Pat McGuire, and others provided updates on their efforts to improve policies and procedures within their departments.

Alios (Arms-Length External Organisations)

Councillor Finchendo raised concerns about the internal control arrangements for Alios. Laura Calder explained that while some Alios have internal control work, others do not. The council plans to review the Alio framework to ensure consistency and best practices.

Voids

The discussion on voids highlighted the challenges in managing long-term voids and the need for better data. Sarah Burns and Derek McGowan provided updates on efforts to improve data quality and reduce the number of long-term voids. Councillor Kumar emphasized the importance of addressing long-term voids to avoid increased repair costs.

Trams and ERP Projects

The meeting also covered the internal audit reports on the Trams and ERP projects. Hannah Ross and Laura Calder discussed the agile audit approach used for these projects, which allowed for real-time issue resolution. Councillor Knowles-McVay raised concerns about the lack of reporting on legal issues related to the Trams project, and it was agreed that a briefing note would be provided.

Thrive Mental Health Services

The audit report on Thrive Mental Health Services was discussed, with Councillor Miller raising questions about performance measures and timescales for management actions. Linda Irvine and Pat McGree provided updates on efforts to improve performance reporting and workforce issues.

Safety of Council Heavy Operated Vehicles

The council discussed the safety of council-operated heavy vehicles, particularly around schools. It was agreed that the report would be referred to the Transport and Environment Committee for further consideration.

Library Overdue Fines

The council discussed the proposal to end library overdue fines. An amendment was made to review the budget process to ensure no unfunded pressures are included in future budgets.

Accessibility of Council Information

The council discussed the accessibility of council information and agreed to receive a report on the presentation and accessibility of committee reporting.

The meeting concluded with the agreement to the recommendations and amendments discussed.