Greenwich Council's Audit and Risk Management Panel has received 'Reasonable Assurance' regarding the effectiveness of the council's risk management, governance, and internal control arrangements. However, the Head of Internal Audit noted that improvements are still needed in specific areas identified in audit reports to enhance the overall framework.
The assessment came during the panel's meeting on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, where members including Councillor David Gardner (Deputy Mayor, Chair of Audit and Risk Management Panel), Dr Susan Blackall, and Councillor Matt Hartley (Leader of the Opposition) reviewed the IAAF Annual Performance 2024-25.pdf. The report covered internal audit and anti-fraud performance for the year 2024/25.
The IAAF Annual Performance 2024-25.pdf stated that Internal Audit is a statutory requirement under The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. The Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) requires the chief audit executive to provide an annual internal audit opinion. Based on the profile of audit opinions given in individual audit reports during the year showing an improvement on previous year; a continuous focus on implementing audit actions; and continuous improvement in the risk management culture in the Council, the opinion of the Head of Internal Audit is that:
The arrangements for governance, risk management and internal control provided Reasonable Assurance that material risks, which could impact upon the achievement of the Council's objectives, were being identified and managed effectively. However, improvements are required in the areas identified in audit reports to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the framework of governance, risk management and internal control.
During the meeting, the panel also approved the Internal Audit Plan & Strategy 2025-26.pdf and the Internal Audit Charter 2025-26.pdf. The risk-based approach to internal audit uses the council's own risk management process and risk registers as a starting point, as this represents the council's own assessment of the key risks to it achieving its strategic objectives.
Anti-Fraud received 95 referrals relating to allegations of Housing Benefit / Council Tax Support Fraud between April 2024 and March 2025. During the same period, Anti-Fraud investigated 111 corporate related matters (i.e. non benefit, non-tenancy fraud).