Purpose

To award the contract for a new internal audit
delivery partner after a competitive tendering exercise has been
completed. The new contract and recently completed recruitment to
in-house vacancies will result in a saving of £150,000
annually to the council.

The contractor will supplement delivery of internal audits across
the Council over a four-year period. The provider will deliver,
under direction from the Assistant Director for Internal Audit and
Counter Fraud, internal audits from the annual internal audit plan
which is agreed by management board and the corporate committee.
The annual contract value will be up to £150,000 depending on
the number and complexity of audits to be delivered. The initial
contract will be for two years with options to extend for a further
two years for a total maximum value of £600,000.

Decision

1.         
To approve the award of a contract to BDO
to support delivery of internal audit services between the 1April
2024 and 31 March 2028 at a cost of £600,000 (£150,000
annually), saving £150,000.