2025_26_InternalAudit_ObanAirport_ReportFinal
Argyll and Bute Council · 16 December 2025
Back to Audit and Scrutiny Committee — 16 December 2025 and its agenda
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Argyll and Bute Council Internal Audit Report November 2025 FINAL High Medium Low VFM Number of Findings 0 0 0 0 Oban Airport Audit Opinion: High
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2 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 CContentss 1. Executive Summary........................................................................................................................3 Introduction............................................................................................................................................3 Background.............................................................................................................................................3 Scope.......................................................................................................................................................4 Risks........................................................................................................................................................4 Audit Opinion.........................................................................................................................................4 2. Objectives and Summary Assessment...........................................................................................4 3. Detailed Findings............................................................................................................................6 Appendix 1 –Audit Opinion...................................................................................................................9 Contactt Detailss Internal Auditor: Leanne Rennie Telephone: 01369 708516 e-mail: Leanne.rennie@argyll-bute.gov.uk www.argyll-bute.gov.uk
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3 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 11. Executivee Summaryy Introductionn 1. As part of the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan, approved by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee in March 2025, we have undertaken an audit of Argyll and Bute Council’s (the Council) system of internal controland governance in relation to Oban Airport. 2. The audit was conducted in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) with our conclusions based on discussions with council officers and the information available at the time the fieldwork was performed. The findingsoutlined in this report are only those which have come to our attention during the course of our normal audit work and are not necessarily all the issues which may exist. Appendix 1 to this report includes agreed actions to strengthen internal control however it is the responsibility of management to determine the extent of the internal control system appropriate to the Council. 3. The contents of this report have been agreed with the appropriate council officers to confirm factual accuracy and appreciation is due for the cooperation and assistance received from all officers overthe course of the audit. Backgroundd 4. Oban Airport is one of three aerodromes operated by the Council, and licensed under Article 211 of the ANO 2009 by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Deemed as a Public Service Obligation (PSO),scheduled services, and scholar flights for island school children, operate from Oban airport to Coll, Colonsay, Islay and Tiree. Additionally, the airport deals with chartered traffic and military flights as well as general aviation traffic such as medevacs, coastguard operations, training flights and scenic tours by private operators. 5. Prior to the grant of a licence and for continued licensing, the CAA requires the Aerodrome Operator to meet the minimum standards detailed in CAP168 Licensing of Aerodromes. CAP 168 setsout the standards required at UK national licensed aerodromes relating to management systems, operational procedures, physical characteristics, assessment and treatment of obstacles, visual aids, rescue and fire-fighting services and medical services. 6. The Oban Airport Aerodrome Manual (the Manual) provides information about the airport, its systems for managing safety and the required operational procedures. The Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) manual provides guidance on the agreed policy and procedures designed to achieve an effective and efficient RFFS. Both manuals are derived from CAP168. 7. Oban Airport operate the ‘Redkite Equipment Management system’ which is used in all UK airports to help ensure they meet the requirements of the CAA in regard to RFFS personnel and equipment. 8. The overall remit of internal audit is to provide assurance over compliance with the 25 airport operating instructions (AOIs) established by the Manual and the further procedures established by the RFFS manual.
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4 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 SScopee 9. The scope of the audit was to provide assurance over compliance with six of the airport operating instructions (AOIs) established by the Manual and the further procedures established by the RFFS manual as outlined in the Terms of Reference agreed with the Oban Airport Station Manager. The operating instructions audited on 18th September 2025 are as follows: x AOI 16 – Aerodrome Safeguarding x AOI 17 –Recovery of Disabled Aircraft x AOI 18 –Recording Aircraft Movements x AOI 19 – Accident, Incident and Occurrence Reporting x AOI 20 – Aerodrome Ground Maintenance x AOI 24 –Cranes & Tall Equipment in vicinity of Aerodrome Riskss 10. The risks considered throughout the audit were: x Audit Risk 1 - Failure to comply with operating instructions could result in increased risk of accidents and/or the airport losing its CAA licence Auditt Opinionn 11. We provide an overall audit opinion for all the audits we conduct. This is based on our judgement on the level of assurance which we can take over the established internal controls, governance and management of risk as evidenced by our audit work. Full details of the five possible categories of audit opinion is provided in Appendix 2 to this report. 12. Our overall audit opinion for this audit is that we can take a HIGH level of assurance. This means that internal control, governance and the management of risk are at a high standard. Only marginal elements of residual risk have been identified with these either being accepted or dealt with. A sound system of control designed to achieve the system objectives is in place and being applied consistently. 2. Objectivess andd Summaryy Assessmentt 13. Exhibit 1 sets out the control objectives identified during the planning phase of the audit and our assessment against each objective Exhibit 1 – Summary Assessment of Control Objectives Control Objective Link to Risk Assessment Summary Conclusion CO1 The Manual, setting out the operational procedures of the airport, is up to date, appropriate and accessible to all relevant staff. Audit Risk 1 High The Manual is updated annually and is available to appropriate officers and published on the Council’s intranet site, the Hub. The document was found to be comprehensive with each section outlining the Council policy for compliance with regulations and procedures.
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5 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 Control Objective Link to Risk Assessment Summary Conclusion CO2 AOI16 – Aerodrome Safeguarding - reasonable steps are taken to keep the airport and its airspace safe at all times for use by aircraft. Audit Risk 1 High There is a safeguarding map which details the specific area which fall under the safeguarding requirements, and external contractors are issued with guidance when working within the safeguarding area. CO3 AOI17 – Recovery of Disabled Aircraft - measures are in place to remove disabled aircraft without disrupting the safety of the airport. Audit Risk 1 High It is the responsibility of aircraft owners to remove disabled aircraft to a safe area. The Council has facilities if the owner requires assistance. CO4 AOI18 – Recording Aircraft Movements – the airport complies with operating instruction to record movements. Audit Risk 1 High Aircraft movements are compiled by the Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer (AFISO), or during busy periods by another crew member and are recorded appropriately. CO5 AOI19 – Accident, Incident and Occurrence Reporting - the airport complies with the operating instructions to report accidents, incidents and occurrences. Audit Risk 1 High Accidents, incidents and occurrences associated with the operation of an aircraft are reported appropriately internally and externally. All reports are recorded internally on the airport database. CO6 AOI20 – Aerodrome Ground Maintenance - the airport complies with the ground maintenance programme. Audit Risk 1 High Ground maintenance procedures have been designed to ensure there is a system in place to maintain the airfield to a suitable standard. CO7 AOI24 – Cranes & Tall Equipment in vicinity of Aerodrome –the airport complies with the operating instructions regarding tall equipment & cranes. Audit Risk 1 High Tall Equipment and Cranes must apply for a permit 14 days prior to the planned operation. 14. Further details of our conclusions against each control objective can be found in Section 3 of this report.
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6 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 33. Detailedd Findingss The Manual, setting out the operational procedures of the airport, is up to date, appropriate and accessible to all relevant staff 15. The Manual is available to all relevant personnel onthe Council HUB with a hard copy held onsite atthe airport. Each section within the Manual sets out: x the Council’s policy and established procedures to ensure compliance with relevant rules and/or regulations x appropriate monitoring arrangements (where applicable) x roles and responsibilities of relevant personnel. 16. The Manual is reviewed annually by the Station Manager and was last updated in July 2025. The updated version is submitted to the CAA who have 28 days to highlight any queries on the Manual’s content. If no response is received in 28 days, then the revised Manual is adopted. The current Manual is version 8.7. 17. The CAA document CAP 168 sets out the standards required at UK National licensed aerodromes relating to management systems, operational procedures, physical characteristics, assessment and treatment of obstacles, visual aids, rescue and fire-fighting services and medical services. 18. When updating the Manual, the Station Manager ensures that it reflects any updates or revisions as published by the CAA. A check of the CAA website found that there has been no alterations, other than formatting, to the CAP 168 document since January 2022. 19. The CAA carry out periodic on-site audits to verify continued compliance with national licensing requirements. The latest inspection was June 2025; we have been provided with findings and responses to date. All reasonable steps are taken to always keep the airport and its airspace safe for use by aircraft. 20. The CAA requires that the airport and its airspace are always safe for use by aircraft. This is detailed in CAP 738 “Safeguarding of Aerodromes”. The station manager is responsible for aerodrome safeguarding. 21. Oban airports all have a safeguarding map which has been lodged with planning services which details the specific area which falls within the safeguarding requirements. All planning applications within this area should meet the CAP 738 requirements and must be notified to relevant airport personnel. We have been provided with a copy of the latest planning application. 22. External contractors have been issued with guidance when working within the safeguarding area to ensure that the requirements of CAP 738 are met. Measures are in place to remove disabled aircraft without disrupting the safety of the airport. 23. In the event of an aircraft becoming disabled it is the responsibility of the aircraft owner to remove the aircraft to a safe distance. To facilitate this, the airport has a “tug” or if this not suitable they can advise the owner of a suitable contractor. If the aircraft is disabled in a hazardous area,the airport will ensure that the aircraft is removed as soon as possible. If the runway is required to be closed, then a NOTAM will be issued. There have been no recordings of disabled aircraft for several years.
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7 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 The airport complies with the operating instructions to record Aircraft movements 24. CAP168 Licensing of Aerodromes requests that all aircraft movements are to be recorded. The following is recorded: x aircraft type and registration x flight number x type of flight x destination or departure aerodrome x time of departure/arrival x aircraft operator x number of persons on board 25. Aircraft movements are compiled by the Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer (AFISO), or during busy periods by another crew member. Aircraft movements are recorded appropriately on the airport database. The airport complies with the operating instructions to report accidents, incidents and occurrences 26. The Aerodrome Safety Management System outlines the principle and purpose of accident and incident reporting. Additionally, there are mandatory requirements for reporting accidents and incidents. 27. The Manual states that the Station Manager is responsible for: x all incidents are investigated x a no blame philosophy is pursued x all mandatory reporting procedures are followed in a timely manner x radio transmission frequencies (RTF) are retained x appropriate steps are taken to circulate the findings of accident/incident investigations 28. The Manual requires the duty AFISO to make verbal and written reports. All reports are recorded internally on the airports database. External reports are made directly to the UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB). All matters reported to the AAIB/CAA culminate in formal reports which are available to the public and staff. The Airport complies with the ground’s maintenance programme 29. Ground Maintenance procedures are in place to ensure there is a system to maintain the airfield to a suitable standard, incorporating: x grass cutting x strimming x weed and moss control x perimeter fence maintenance x egress gate access 30. The Manual states that prior to operating any item of equipment, sufficient training must be carried out on each item, and the Station Manager must be satisfied with the competence of the operator before allowing them to operate the equipment. Personnel are suitably trained by colleagues and are permitted to use the tractor and attachments once proficient.
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8 Argyll and Bute Council – Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 31. The Manual states that knapsack sprayersmust only be used by personnel in possession of the relevant PA1 and PA6 certification, two members of staff currently hold this certification. Cranes & Tall Equipment in vicinity of Aerodrome –the airport complies with the operating instructions regarding tall equipment & cranes. 32. Operators intending to use cranes or tall equipment within 6 kilometers of an aerodrome boundary, where the height exceeds 10 meters above ground level (AGL) or the height of surrounding structures or trees, must apply for a Crane/Tall equipment permit using ‘Crane Permit FM01’ within the stated time frame. 33. The Manual states that the Station Manager is responsible for assessing all crane/tall equipment requests and has the right to refuse applications that are not submitted within the time frame and/or are deemed a hazard to the aerodrome. Appropriate documentation was retained in compliance with this requirement.
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9 Argyll andBute Council –Internal Audit Report –Oban Airport, November2025 AAppendixx 11 –– Auditt Opinionn Level of Assurance Definition High Internal control, governance and the management of risk are at a high standard. Only marginal elements of residual risk have been identified with these either being accepted or dealt with. A sound system of control designed to achieve the system objectives isin place and being applied consistently. Substantial Internal control, governance and the management of risk is sound. However, there are minor areas of weakness which put some system objectives at risk and specific elements of residual risk that are slightly above an acceptable level and need to be addressed within a reasonable timescale. Reasonable Internal control, governance and the management of risk are broadly reliable. However, whilst notdisplaying a general trend, thereare areas of concern which have been identified where elements of residual riskor weakness may put some of the system objectives at risk. Limited Internal control, governance and the management of risk are displaying a general trend of unacceptable residual risk above an acceptablelevel andplacing system objectives are at risk. W eakness must be addressed with a reasonable timescale with management allocating appropriate resources to the issues raised. No Assurance Internal control, governance and the management of risk is poor. Significant residual risk and/or significant non-compliance with basic controls exists leaving the system open to error, loss or abuse. Residual risk must be addressed immediately with management allocating appropriate resources to the issues.