D11 - Audit and Accounts Committee

Audit Activity:

(i) To approve the Internal Audit strategy and monitor its progress, overseeing the independence, objectivity and performance of the internal audit function and its conformance to professional standards.

(ii) To approve, but not direct, Internal Audit’s annual plan of work and monitor unscheduled work that could potentially divert audit resources away from a plan, and monitor performance against those plans, ensuring that there are no inappropriate scope or resource limitations.

(iii) To consider the Annual Report and opinion of the Head of Audit and Risk Management and a summary of internal audit activity and the level of assurance it can give over the Council’s corporate governance arrangements.

(iv) To consider summary internal audit reports and the main issues arising, and seek assurance that action has been taken where necessary.

(v) To consider reports dealing with the management and performance of the internal audit function.

(vi) To consider reports from Internal Audit on agreed recommendations not implemented within reasonable timescales.

(vii) To consider the Annual Audit Letter, relevant reports and the reports of those charged with governance.

(viii) To consider specific reports as agreed with the external auditor to ensure agreed action is taken within reasonable timescales.

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

(x) To liaise with Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited over the appointment of the Council’s external auditor.

(xi) To consider the opinion, reports and recommendations of inspection agencies relevant to the Council (such as Ofsted, the Information Commissioner’s Office, etc.), and their implications for governance, risk management or control, and monitor management action in response to the issues raised.

(xii) To suggest work for internal and external audit.

(xiii) To support effective arrangements for internal audit, promote the effective use of internal audit within the assurance framework, and to undertake an annual review of the effectiveness of the system of Internal Audit.

(xiv) To support effective relationships between all providers of assurance, audits and inspections, and the organisation, encouraging openness to challenge, review and accountability.

Regulatory Framework:

(i) To maintain an overview of the Council’s constitution in respect of contract procedure rules, financial regulations, codes of conduct etc.

(ii) To review any issue referred to it by the Chief Executive, executive directors or any committee of the Council.

(iii) To monitor the effective development and operation of risk management and corporate governance throughout the Council.

(iv) To monitor Council policies on “raising concerns at work” and anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies, including the Council’s complaints process, and to approve any changes regarding the Council’s Whistle-blowing Policy, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Anti-Money Laundering Policy and associated arrangements.

(v) To oversee the production of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement and recommend its adoption.

(vi) To consider the arrangements for corporate governance, and assurance across the Council’s full range of operations and collaborations with other entities, and to agree necessary actions to ensure compliance with best practice.

(vii) To consider the Council’s compliance with its own and published standards and controls.

(viii) To report as appropriate to Full Council, relevant Policy and Service Committees and the Constitution and Ethics Committee on issues which require their attention or further action.

(ix) To bring to the attention of the Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee any issue which may warrant further consideration or review.

(x) To receive and approve proposals regarding the Council’s exercise of powers covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

Accounts:

(i) To review and approve the Annual Statement of Accounts.

(ii) Specifically to consider whether appropriate accounting policies have been followed and whether there are concerns arising from the financial statements or from the audit that need to be brought to the attention of the Council.

(iii) To consider the External Auditor’s Report to those charged with the governance issues arising from the audit of the accounts.

Risk Management

(i) To understand the risk profile of the Council and consider the effectiveness of the Council’s risk management arrangements.

(ii) To seek assurances that action is being taken on risk-related issues, with the right to request reports and seek assurances from relevant officers.

(iii) To be satisfied that the Council’s accountability statements, including the Annual Governance Statement, properly reflect the risk environment and any actions required to improve it, and demonstrate how governance supports the achievement of the authority’s objectives.