Issue - meetings

The Director for Finance, Risk and Performance submitted a report that provided an overview of the self-assessment exercise in relation to the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee. The assessment has been undertaken by the Chief Finance Officer, in line with guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), which advocates regular self-assessment as good practice.

Members were advised that the report was now presented to the Committee to consider, comment on, and amend as appropriate, enabling members to confirm the level of compliance, gain an appreciation of best practice, and identify any areas for further improvement.

The Director for Finance, Risk and Performance said that one of the recommendations was that Members of the Audit and Governance Committee should not be on the Executive and should not be sitting on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Members were advised that no members of the Audit and Governance Committee sat on the Executive, although some members were also members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Committee was advised that, given the size of the authority and the number of elected members available, complete separation of these roles might not be practical.

The Director for Finance, Risk and Performance said that the current position regarding committee membership had been identified and acknowledged as part of the assessment process. Members were also advised that the Audit and Governance Committee could consider having more informal discussions with both internal and external auditors on matters that may be more appropriately raised outside of the public meeting setting.

During discussion, a member sought clarification regarding the potential conflict arising from membership of both the Audit and Governance Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In response, officers explained that the guidance was intended to ensure independence and minimise any perceived conflicts of interest. However, it was considered that dual membership of those committees did not present a significant concern, provided the arrangement was transparent and appropriately recognised.

Councillor Hart proposed and Councillor Deffley seconded, a motion that Members have noted and commented on the proposed self-assessment and evaluation of good practice for Audit and Governance Committee in Local Authorities as set out in the Appendix B and any actions required to ensure full compliance which will form the basis of future annual reports be confirmed.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) Members have noted and commented on the proposed self-assessment and evaluation of good practice for Audit and Governance Committee in Local Authorities as set out in the Appendix B; and

(B)   Members confirm any actions required to ensure full compliance which will form the basis of future annual reports.