The
work of this Committee before 15 May 2018 was carried out by the
Audit, Best Value and Community Services Scrutiny
Committee. Click on the link if you would like to view
previous meeting agendas and minutes.
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to act as the
principal non-executive, advisory function supporting those charged
with governance by exercising the Audit Committee functions as
follows:
1) To review and provide independent scrutiny in
relation to all internal and external audit matters.
2) To consider the effectiveness of the
Council’s risk management processes, internal control
environment and corporate governance arrangements and to recommend
any changes to Governance Committee or Cabinet as
appropriate.
3) To consider the external auditor’s annual
letter and the Chief Internal Auditor’s annual report and
opinion and the level of assurance they can give over the
Council’s risk management processes, internal control
environment and corporate governance arrangements.
4) To review and scrutinise the effectiveness of
management arrangements to ensure probity and legal and regulatory
compliance, including, but not limited to contract procedure rules,
financial regulations, codes of conduct , anti-fraud and corruption
arrangements and whistle-blowing policies.
5) To consider the major findings of internal and
external audit and inspection reports, and Directors’
responses, and any matters the Chief Internal Auditor or District
Auditor may wish to discuss (in the absence of Directors if
necessary).
6) To review the Council’s assurance
statements, including the Annual Governance Statement, ensuring
that they properly reflect the risk environment, and any actions
required to improve it.
7). To review the internal audit strategy and annual
plan and the external auditor’s annual audit and inspection
plan and to monitor performance of both internal and external
audit.
8) To review the annual statement of accounts and
the external auditor’s report to those charged with
governance.
9) To review and monitor treasury management
arrangements in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Management Code
of Practice.
10) To review and monitor the Property Asset
Disposal and Investment Strategy.
The terms of reference of this
Committee can be found in the Council’s
Constitution.