Committee details

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.