The Audit and Governance Committee comprises
of 9 Members and its role is:
Audit
·
To approve the internal audit charter.
·
To approve the internal audit plan and monitor
delivery of the plan.
·
To review reports from the Chief Audit Executive on
work undertaken by internal audit, consider the main issues arising
and seek assurance that action is being taken where
necessary.
·
To receive a specific report from the Chief Audit
Executive on the status of internal audit recommendations, seeking
assurance they have been implemented. On occasions of
non-implementation, to challenge why this is the case and that
future action is planned for implementation. If necessary, the
Committee has authority to ‘call in’ appropriate
officers.
·
To approve the Chief Audit Executive’s annual
report and opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the
council’s framework of governance, risk management and
control together with a summary of internal audit activity
supporting the opinion and the level of assurance it can give over
the Council’s corporate governance arrangements.
·
To consider summaries of specific Internal Audit
reports as requested.
·
To receive reports outlining the action taken where
the Chief Audit Executive has concluded that management had
accepted a level of risk that may be unacceptable to the Council,
or there were concerns about the progress with the implementation
of agreed actions.
·
To consider the internal audit quality assurance and
improvement programme and, in particular, to the external
assessment of internal audit that takes place at least once every
five years.
·
To approve the letters of representation required by
the external auditor and to consider the external auditor’s
annual letter, audit opinion, relevant reports, and the report to
those charged with governance.
·
To consider specific reports as agreed with the
external auditor.
·
To comment on the scope and depth of external audit
work and to ensure it gives value for money.
·
Consider appointment of the Council’s external
auditor proposed by the appointing person under the Local Audit
(Appointing Person) Regulations 2015 and assess whether there are
any valid reasons for the Council to object.
·
To commission additional work from internal audit
and the external auditor as necessary.
·
To prepare an annual report on the Committee’s
performance in relation to the Terms of Reference and the
effectiveness of the Committee in meetings its purpose.
Governance and Financial Reporting
·
To review and consider the Council’s corporate
governance arrangements ensuring they adhere to best practice, and
to receive specific reports on governance related items when
required.
·
To approve the Annual Governance Statement and
monitor delivery of any significant governance issues
arising.
·
To consider the Council’s arrangements to
secure value for money and review assurances and assessments on the
effectiveness of these arrangements.
·
To review the corporate risk register and seek
assurance it is reflective of the Council’s risk environment
and that key risks are effectively managed.
·
To review and consider any changes to the
Council’s risk management strategy and recommend the strategy
to Executive Committee for approval.
·
To consider the external auditor’s report
arising from the audit of the Council’s accounts and to
approve the accounts on an annual basis, ensuring that appropriate
accounting policies have been followed and to identify whether
there are concerns arising that need to be brought to the attention
of the Council.
·
To be responsible for the scrutiny of the
Council’s treasury management function.
·
To approve and monitor Council policies on
whistleblowing and the anti-fraud, corruption and bribery strategy
and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee as
appropriate.
·
To consider and review on an annual basis a report
on the Council’s health and safety arrangements and to take
appropriate action where necessary.