Purpose

SWAP INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES TO SUPPORT
DELIVERY OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN

Content

That
it be DETERMINED that South West Audit Practice (SWAP) Internal
Audit Services be appointed as call-off contract support to deliver
a comprehensive risk-based internal audit function to Tameside
Council and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

Reasons for the decision

Internal audit is to be provided in accordance with
the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations
2015.  The Council must undertake an
adequate and effective Internal Audit to evaluate the effectiveness
of its risk management, control, and governance
processes.  The service must be
delivered in according with the Public Sector Internal Audit
Standards (PSIAS).

A one-off arrangement was made with SWAP in October
2023 for 100 audit days. 

To maintain a robust business continuity model and
ensure that resources are in place to manage the successful
delivery of the annual Internal Audit Plan, Internal Audit are
seeking approval to extend the co-source arrangement with
SWAP.

A Service Review is planned to be completed in
quarter two of 2024/25, following which a procurement exercise will
be undertaken to provide for a permanent co-source
solution. 

By implementing this exemption, it will enable the
audit services to call in on that contract as and when there are
vacancies.
Ensuring this arrangement is in place, will ensure the
successful delivery of the audit plan which supports the Council in
managing the controls around its strategic risks and new and
emerging risks/issues.