Minutes of the VSS Audit and Risk Committee

Friday 19 February 2021, 14:00pm

Remote – via Zoom

ARC Members Present:

Colm Doran (CD) ARC Member (Chair)

Bertha McDougall (BMcD)                     Board Member

Richard Solomon (RS)                           Board Member

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Margaret Bateson (MB)                         CEO and Accounting Officer

Tara Lewsley (TL)                                 Acting Head of Corporate Services

David Murray (DM)                                Finance and Governance Manager

Melissa McCartan (MM)                        Business Support Officer (Minutes)

Others in Attendance:

Marie Mathews (MM)                            TEO

Lisa Malcolmson (LM)                           EY (Internal Audit)

Kathy Doey (KD)                                      NIAO

A      Apologies

        Apologies received from Briege Lafferty, ARC Member.

B      Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 13 January 2021 were agreed.

C      External Audit

KD advised that the report for those charged with Governance will be presented at the next ARC meeting. It was noted the report will be brought to the next ARC to consider the key findings and recommendations.

It was noted that the Audit has now been completed and is due to be signed off. NIAO anticipate an unqualified audit report. On behalf of NIAO, KD thanked the VSS finance team for their help with completing the audit.

The committee noted minor narrative changes to the Annual Report and Accounts. TL advised these changes will be adapted and put forward to the VSS Board for sign off. 

The chairman extended his thanks to both NIAO and VSS staff for completing a clean audit.

D      Internal Audit

LM provided an update on Internal Audit.

In relation to the review of PEACE IV report, a total of four recommendations have been made, two priority 2 and two priority 3. It was noted that this report has resulted in a satisfactory audit rating.

In relation to the VSP Vouching and Verification report, a total of three recommendations have been made, two priority 2 and one priority 3. It was noted this report has resulted in a satisfactory audit rating.

E      Date of Next Meeting

The next VSS Audit and Risk Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 14 April 2021.