Terms of Reference
Audit Activity
1. To consider
the Internal Audit and Business Improvement Manager’s annual
report and opinion, and a summary of internal audit activity
(actual and proposed) and the level of assurance it can give over
the Council’s corporate governance arrangements.
2. To consider
summaries of specific Internal Audit reports as
requested.
3. To consider
reports dealing with the management and performance of the
providers of Internal Audit services.
4. To consider a
report from Internal Audit on agreed recommendations not
implemented within a reasonable timescale.
5. To consider
the External Auditor’s annual letter, relevant reports and
the report to those charged with governance.
6. To consider
specific reports as agreed with the External Auditor.
7. To comment on
the scope and depth of external audit work and to ensure it gives
value for money.
8. To liaise with
the Audit Commission over the appointment of the Council’s
External Auditor.
9. To commission work from internal and external
audit.
Regulatory Framework
10. To maintain an overview of
the Council’s Constitution in respect of rules of procedure
relating to contracts, financial regulations and financial
procedures and codes of conduct and behaviour.
11. To review any issue
referred to it by the Chief Executive or a Director or any Council
body.
12. To monitor the effective
development and operation of risk management and corporate
governance in the Council.
13. To monitor Council
policies on “Confidential Reporting” and the anti-fraud
and anti-corruption strategy and the Council’s complaints
process.
14. To oversee the production
of the Authority’s Annual Governance Statement and to
recommend its adoption.
15. To consider the
Council’s arrangements for corporate governance and agreeing
necessary actions to ensure compliance with best
practice.
16. To consider the
Council’s compliance with its own and other published
standards and controls.
17. To review arrangements for
delivering value for money.
Accounts
To review the annual statement of
accounts.
Specifically to consider whether appropriate accounting policies
have been followed and whether there are concerns arising from the
financial statements or from the audit that need to be brought to
the attention of the Council.
To
consider the External Auditors’ report to those charged with
governance on issues arising from the audit of the
accounts.