National Fraud Initiative – Fair Processing Notice
As a public authority, we are required by law to protect the public funds we administer. We may share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.
The Auditor General is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises under its powers under the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004.
Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.
The Auditor General currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. The Auditor General requires this authority to provide information it holds for this purpose. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Auditor General for matching. Details are set out here National Fraud Initiative | Audit Wales
As the use of data by the Auditor General in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority (Part 3A of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004), it does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Data matching by the Auditor General is subject to a Code of Practice. This is to help all bodies involved in data matching to comply with the law and good practice, including maintaining data security. Please read more about the National Fraud Initiative at National Fraud Initiative | Audit Wales.
Please contact Monmouthshire County Council and ask for the Chief Internal Auditor or email InternalAudit@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01633 644258
Internal Audit team
We maintain an Internal Audit section in accordance with Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations (Wales) 2005.
The mission of Internal Audit is to to enhance and protect organisational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice, and insight. We are an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation’s operations. We help an organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
The team operates in line with the UK’s Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.
The team uses a risk-based planning methodology to produce an annual Audit Work Plan, in consultation with the Council’s chief officers and our Governance & Audit Committee. As well as this planned work, we undertake special investigations at the request of members of the senior leadership team. We also co-ordinate the National Fraud Initiative on behalf of the Council.
The relationship between internal audit and external audit takes account of their differing roles and responsibilities.
- Internal audit is an independent appraisal function within the organisation.
- External audit has a statutory responsibility to express an independent opinion on the accounts, performance management and the financial aspects of corporate governance.
The Governance & Audit Committee has been established in accordance with the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. There are 12 members of the Committee made up of 4 independent lay members (one of which is the Committee Chair) as well as 8 elected members. As well as approving the Internal Audit Annual Work Plan, the Audit Committee reviews the work of both internal and external audit and receives the financial statements of accounts and other reports (if requested by the auditors or members of the committee).
The Chief Internal Auditor has an independent right of access to the Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee.
External audit
Each local authority in Wales has an independent external auditor appointed by the Auditor General of Wales.
External auditors must conduct their work in accordance with a Code of Practice.
Our current appointed auditors are Audit Wales.
To contact our external auditors, write to:
Gareth Lucey
Engagement Director
Wales Audit Office
24 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9LJ
Telephone: 029 2032 0500