The Audit Committee has
the following responsibilities:-
Audit Activity
·
Consider, approve, review and monitor the internal audit strategy,
strategic and operational plans.
·
Consider specific internal audit reports (summary / full reports)
as requested.
·
Monitor the actions taken in response to internal audit
recommendations.
·
Consider reports dealing with the management and performance of the
internal audit service.
·
Receive the annual report from the Internal Audit and Risk Manager
setting out internal audit activity during the year and an opinion
on the level of assurance as to the Council’s corporate
governance, risk management and internal control arrangements.
·
Comment on the planned external audit activity and coverage,
including the proposed fees, to ensure it gives value for
money.
·
Consider specific reports from the external auditor and other
inspection agencies.
·
Monitor the actions taken in response to external audit
recommendations.
·
Consider the external auditor’s annual letter, relevant
reports and the ‘report to those charged with
governance’.
·
To oversee the process by which the Council’s External
Auditor is appointed.
·
Monitor the relationship and co-operation between the internal and
external audit functions and other relevant bodies.
·
Commission work from internal and external audit if considered
necessary.
·
The Audit & Accounts Committee can, on occasion, require the
manager of a service which has been the subject of internal audit
review, to account to internal audit recommendations.
Risk Activity
·
Consider the effectiveness of the Council’s risk management
arrangements, the control environment, and associated anti-fraud
and anti-corruption arrangements.
·
Seek assurance that action is being taken on risk related issues,
and if required can ask an appropriate person to attend a meeting
to give evidence.
·
Be satisfied that the Council’s assurance statements properly
reflect the Authority’s risk environment and the actions
needed to improve it.
·
Monitor the effective development and operation of risk management
strategies and policies, reviewing the corporate risk register and
associated arrangements and action plans.
·
Where appropriate, to refer matters of concern to the relevant
Scrutiny Select Committee and receive reports back.
Corporate Governance
·
Evaluate the adequacy of the application of the local code of
corporate governance, including updates on improvement actions,
levels of training and awareness and compliance with codes of
conduct.
·
To oversee the production of the Council’s Code of Corporate
Governance and Annual Governance Statement and to recommend their
adoption when satisfied.
·
Review the adequacy of the anti-fraud and corruption policies and
strategies, and the effectiveness of the relevant processes and
their application, including the arrangements for dealing with
suspected or actual wrongdoing.
·
To maintain an overview of the Council’s Constitution in
respect of contract procedure rules and financial regulations.
·
Review any relevant issue referred by the Chief Executive,
Corporate Directors, the Executive,
Scrutiny Committees or any other council body.
Accounts
·
Review and approval of the annual statement of accounts and related
matters, considering whether appropriate accounting policies have
been followed and whether there are any concerns arising from the
financial statements or from the audit that need to be brought to
the attention of the Council.
·
Receive and consider the external auditor’s report and
statement.
·
Monitor the action taken in response to the issues raised in the
auditor’s report.
The Committee is composed of 6 Councillors
appointed by the Annual Council Meeting.
