Browse meetings

Audit and Corporate Governance Committee

This page lists the meetings for Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.

Meetings

Information about Audit and Corporate Governance Committee

Membership

7 councillors, who are not members of the Cabinet.

Appointments to be subject to the requirements of political balance.

The Chair of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee shall not be eligible to chair the Committee, although they may be a member of it.

Statement of Purpose

The Committee is a key component of the Council’s corporate governance framework. It provides an independent and high-level focus on the audit assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards.

 

The purpose of the Committee is to provide independent assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework and the internal control environment. It provides independent review of the governance, risk management and control frameworks; and oversees the financial reporting and annual governance processes. It oversees internal audit and external audit, helping to ensure efficient and effective assurance arrangements are in place.

Governance, Risk and Control

To review the Council’s corporate governance arrangements against the good governance framework, ethical frameworks, and to consider the Local Code of Governance.

 

To review the Annual Governance Statement prior to approval and consider whether it properly reflects the risk environment and supporting assurances, taking into account internal audit’s opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s framework of governance, risk management and control.

 

To consider the Council’s arrangements to secure value for money and review assurances and assessments on the effectiveness of these arrangements.

 

To consider the Council’s framework of assurance and ensure that it adequately addresses the risks and priorities of the Council.

 

To monitor the effective development and operation of risk management in the Council, and to monitor progress in addressing risk-related issues reported to the Committee.

 

To consider reports on the effectiveness of internal controls and monitor the implementation of agreed actions.

 

To review the assessment of fraud risks and potential harm to the Council from fraud and corruption, and to monitor the counter-fraud strategy, actions and resources.

 

To review the governance and assurance arrangements for significant partnerships or collaborations.

 

To maintain an overview of the main instruments of financial control, such as Standing Orders in relation to Contracts, Financial Regulations; and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the Council for improvement.

 

To receive quarterly updates on the Council’s use of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) powers and to review the policy on an annual basis.

Internal Audit

To approve the Internal Audit Charter and provide free and unfettered access to the Audit Committee Chair for the Head of Internal Audit, including the opportunity for a private meeting with the Committee.

 

To consider any impairments to independence or objectivity arising from additional roles or responsibilities outside of internal auditing of the Head of Internal Audit. To approve and periodically review safeguards to limit such impairments.

 

To approve the Risk-Based Internal Audit Plan, including internal audit’s resource requirements, and the approach to using other sources of assurance.

 

To consider reports from the Head of Internal Audit during the year, including updates on the work of Internal Audit, key findings, issues of concern and actions.

 

To consider the Head of Internal Audit’s annual report, including:

The results of the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme, plus conformance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and the Local Government Application Note; and

 

The opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s framework of governance, risk managements and control, together with the summary of the work supporting the opinion.

External Audit

To ensure the independence of External Audit through consideration of the external auditors annual assessment of its independence; and review of any issues raised by Public Sector Audit Appointments, or the authority’s auditor panel, as appropriate.

 

To consider the external auditor’s annual letter, relevant reports and the report to those charged with governance.

 

To consider specific reports as agreed with the external auditor.

 

To monitor managements actions, in response to external audit.

 

To comment on the scope and depth of external audit work and to ensure it gives value for money.

 

To commission work from internal and external audit.

 

To advise and recommend on the effectiveness of relationships between external and internal audit and other inspection agencies or relevant bodies.

Financial Reporting

To review the annual Statement of Accounts, prior to approval in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations, to consider whether appropriate accounting policies have been followed and whether there are concerns arising from the financial statement or from the audit that need to be brought to the attention of the Council.

 

To notify Council with regard to conclusion and submission of the Statement of Accounts and provide feedback for any potential opportunities for improvements to be proposed.

 

To consider the external auditor’s report to those charged with governance on issues arising from the audit of the accounts.

Accountability Arrangements

To report to those charged with governance on the Committee’s findings, conclusions and recommendations concerning the adequacy and effectiveness of their governance, risk management and internal control frameworks, financial reporting arrangements, and internal and external audit functions.

 

To publish an annual report on the work of the Committee and report on the Committee’s performance in relation to the terms of reference and the effectiveness of the Committee in meeting its purpose.