The Committee
has the responsibility on behalf of the Council for the overseeing
of the Council’s audit, governance (including risk
management) and financial processes.
Delegated matters
(i.e. Matters which can be decided
(resolved)
1. The approval (but
not direction) of, and monitoring of progress against, the internal
audit Charter and plan.
2. Review summary
internal audit reports and the main issues arising and seek
assurance that action has been taken where
necessary.
3. To be able to call
senior officers and appropriate members to account for relevant
issues within the remit of the Committee – governance
(including information governance), internal audit, risk
management, statement of accounts and external
audit.
4. The Committee will
not receive detailed information on investigations relating to
individuals. The general governance principles and control issues
may be discussed, in confidential session if applicable, at an
appropriate time, to protect the identity of individuals and so as
not to prejudice any action being taken by the
Council.
5. External
Auditors:
a. Recommend the
appointment of the External Auditors to the
Council
b. Review and agree
the External Auditors annual plan, including the annual audit
fee
c. Receive regular
update reports on progress and other reports of external
auditor.
d. Meet privately
with the external auditor as required.
e. Ensure that there
are effective relationships between external and internal audit so
that the value of the combined internal and external audit process
is maximised.
6. Consider the
effectiveness of the Council’s governance processes and their
compliance with legislation and best practice
including:
a. the
Council’s Code of Corporate
Governance;
b. the
Council’s information security
framework;
c. receipt of the
Caldicott Guardian’s Annual report;
d. oversight of
Commercial projects;
e. the management of
opportunities and risks; and
f. other corporate
governance arrangements.
7. Be responsible for
the review and approval of the authority’s Annual Governance
Statement ensuring that it properly reflects the governance,
control and risk environment and any actions required to improve
it. Following approval, it should accompany the
Accounts.
8. To review and
monitor the Council’s Treasury Management arrangements
including Treasury policies, procedures and the management of the
associated risks and make recommendations to the Cabinet as
appropriate.
9. Review and approve
the Statement of Accounts, external auditor’s opinion and
reports on them to members and monitor management action in
response to the issues raised by external
audit.
10. To approve the
Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy and to recommend its adoption by
the Council, and to monitor its operation. The policy will be
reviewed it at least once every two years.
11. To approve the
Speak Up Policy (‘whistle blowing’) and to recommend
its adoption by the Council, and to monitor its operation. This
policy will be reviewed at least once every two years. Recognising
that Complaints/Compliments are a Cabinet function, the Committee
should:-
12. Review the Annual
Complaints Report and seek assurances that the Council is improving
in response to complaints raised.
13. The meetings will
follow the principles of scrutiny, i.e. no party whip will be
applied and a constructive, evidence based approach will be
used.
14. To ensure that
adequate training is received by the members of the committee on
the areas covered by these terms of
reference.
15. To ensure that
any sensitive or confidential information obtained as a result of
membership of the Committee is treated as
confidential.
16. Annually review
their effectiveness and their terms of
reference.