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Audit Committee

The Audit Committee provides an independent assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework and corporate governance arrangements including anti-fraud and corruption.

What role does the committee play?

It also provides an independent review of the council's financial performance and related major finance and non-financial systems and controls, as well as overseeing the financial reporting process.

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are contained in Part C - Responsibility for Functions within the Council's Constitution.

What is its membership?

The Audit Committee is one of the Council's regulatory committees and is made up of 9 councillors appointed by the council.

When does the committee meet?

The Audit Committee meets four times a year, usually on Tuesday evenings at 6pm at the council offices. Members of the public are welcome to attend and if you want to speak at the committee please refer to Guidance for Speaking at Meetings (PDF, 23kb) (opens in a new window) .

What are the committee's specific responsibilities?

The specific duties of the committee are outlined below:

Consideration of the annual Internal Audit Plan and regular update reports by the Internal Audit Manager including information on outstanding audit recommendations
Monitor the effective development and operation of risk management
Monitor arrangements for corporate governance in the council and ensure compliance with best practice
Monitor council policies including the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy, Risk Management Strategy and Whistleblowing Policy
Oversee the production and recommend the adoption of the Annual Governance Statement
Review and approve the annual Statement of Accounts including whether accounting policies are adhered to and highlight any areas of concern to the Council
Receive the Annual Audit Letter and External Audit and Inspection Plan by the council's external auditors

The Audit Committee has a workplan which it considers at each meeting. This lists all the known items that the committee will be considering over the upcoming months.

Finding the terms of reference

Full Terms of Reference for the Regulatory Committees including the Audit Committee are contained in Part A, Article 8 of the Council's Constitution and the Committee's Procedural Rules are contained in Part B, Procedural Rules of the council's constitution.