Internal Audit & Governance
This section explains the role and objectives of the Internal Audit service at the Council.
The Internal Audit and Governance Service consists of a team of four professionally qualified auditors who are multi-skilled in audit, performance management, risk management and financial management. The team work with senior managers of the Council to help improve systems and processes, organisational structures and to protect the public purse.
Introduction
Every local authority is required to maintain an Internal Audit presence with the role of acting as an independent appraisal service to senior management.
Amongst other duties Internal Auditors should examine systems and procedures with the view of safeguarding against fraud, loss, or poor value for money.
The Internal Audit and Governance Manager, Tanith Cox welcomes any communication from members of the public or members of staff with information relating to fraud or other irregularity, including housing benefit fraud, tenancy fraud, theft, corruption or breaching a law or regulation, for instance the Data Protection Act.
You
can 
download our Fraud Report form (89KB - PDF Help) and either send it to us by email to tcox@eastdevon.gov.uk
or print it out and post it back to us. If you post it, please mark your envelope "Private and
Confidential" and address to the Internal Audit and Governance Service, East Devon District Council,
Knowle, Sidmouth EX10 8HU.
Alternatively you can leave details on our confidential answerphone, the number is 01395 517494 or dial direct to 01395 517487.
Whether
you submit the Fraud Report form (89KB - PDF Help) by email, post a printed form, or leave a message
on the answerphone, the information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence. We take
all allegations seriously and, although we cannot give you any feedback on the information you send
us, you can be sure that your concerns will be addressed.
Objectives
To safeguard the Council against fraud, loss or poor value for money.
Service Functions
- To continually review, report upon and promote a working environment wherein East Devon District Council is protected against the risk of fraud, loss, or poor value for money working closely with management.
- To undertake core system; computer; contract and other audits in accordance with Audit Plans and the Cipfa Code of Auditing Practice.
- Creation of an Annual Governance Statement ready for approval by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council.
- Audit of a sample of National Indicators.
- Administration and maintenance of the Authority’s Financial Regulations, Financial Operating Procedures, Contract Standing Orders, Contract Management Handbook and other associated policies, strategies and codes.
- Provision of advice and guidance in respect of service provision and specific projects on corporate governance, including internal control, risk management through interactive workshops and interpretation of the Councils Financial Rules
- Fraud and irregularity investigations, including the National Fraud Initiative.
- Liaison with the Councils external auditors under “managed audit” arrangements.
Contact Us
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a query about the service that we provide to the Council.
Email: audit@eastdevon.gov.uk
Telephone: 01395 516551 (Main Switchboard)
or 01395 517487 (Direct Dial)
Write to:
Internal Audit and Governance
East Devon
District Council
Knowle
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10
8HL
Read the latest minutes of the Audit & Governance Committee:
To read more about your rights to inspect the council's accounts, click on the following link:
