From: FOX, Liz <S.40(2)
>
Sent: 26 November 2020 12:59
To: Amroliwala Amanda <S.40(2)
>; Kilpatrick Gill
<S.40(2)
>
Cc: S.40(2)
Subject: RE: Today's ARAC - NAO comments
Hi Amanda,
Thanks very much, that context and the discussion at the ARAC was useful.
I’l ask S.40(2) on our side to set up a suitable time for a proper introduction with both
yourself and Rob in the near future. Apologies that the timing of the transition between Damian
and I and the ARAC did not make that possible before today.
Best wishes,
Liz
Liz Fox | Director
Parliament, Sovereign and Justice
S.40(2)
Executive assistant: S.40(2)
From: Amroliwala Amanda <S.40(2)
>
Sent: 26 November 2020 11:57
To: FOX, Liz <S.40(2)
>; Kilpatrick Gill <S.40(2)
>
Cc: S.40(2)
Subject: RE: Today's ARAC - NAO comments
EXTERNAL: This email originated from outside the NAO.
Hi Liz
Great to meet you virtually too. I hope that we have time scheduled to have a
proper introduction in the near future.
Thank you for the heads-up on the two issues. On the issue of correspondence, I
am happy to deal with this if you raise it in the NAO section. A very short
summary, as alluded to in the Information Assurance item, is that there are a small
number of individuals who actively campaign against PHSO. These are all people
who have previously brought complaints to us and have not got the outcome that
they want. The individuals write, often in a coordinated way, to yourselves,
Parliament, the ICO, Trustpilot, MPs etc. Our scrutiny hearing on Monday examined
a number of the same issues sent to you. We also have accountability to our Board,
to whom we have recently written a detailed response concerning the latest
challenges to our performance figures.
Given the nature of these individuals and the personal agendas that drive their
questioning, we must be careful not to allow them to consume even more time and
resource than they currently do, whilst at the same time remaining accountable
for any genuine concerns that they raise. I am confident that mechanisms exist,
including through our Board and Parliament, to enable us to manage this.
Regards
Amanda
Amanda Amroliwala CBE
Chief Executive Officer
Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman
From: FOX, Liz <S.40(2)
>
Sent: 26 November 2020 11:41
To: Amroliwala Amanda <S.40(2)
>; Kilpatrick Gill
<S.40(2)
>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Today's ARAC - NAO comments
Amanda, Gill,
It is great to ‘virtually’ see you both on today’s Audit Committee.
S.40(2) mentioned at the start of the meeting that there were a couple of points raised by
auditors in the our pre-meet whichS.40(2)wanted tabled in the main meeting. I hope this has not
caused concern. Essentially the two points we noted were explaining why we had included the
changes to the finance team as a routine area to monitor - (already discussed that no specific
concerns) -, and then a point on the volume of correspondence the NAO receives, which I believe
Damian has raised previously.
S.40(2) has asked me to raise the correspondence point within our section on external audit. The
observation we made was that the NAO continues to receive a large volume of correspondence
from members of the public on the data on the outcome of enquiries and complaints the PHSO
reports within the front half of the annual report and accounts. This is not data that is covered by
the C&AG’s audit opinion, we only audit the sections marked as subject to audit and review
consistency with the financial statements, and of course the C&AG does not have the VFM access
rights. In most cases our response to the correspondents is thus to say it fal s outside of the remit
of the NAO. We reflected that it would be useful to understand how management and the ARAC
assures itself over the mechanisms in place to verify what is reported and how these mechanisms
are kept under review and robustly tested.
I recognise the ARAC may not be the place for a wide discussion on this, particularly if previously
covered. I would be happy to pick up in a separate call or perhaps alongside an introductions
meeting Out of scope
.
Best wishes,
Liz
Liz Fox | Director
Parliament, Sovereign and Justice
S.40(2)
Executive assistant: S.40(2)