Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED: That the Annual report of the Chair of Audit Committee be considered and noted by Full Council.

REASON FOR DECISION: It is recommended practice for the Audit Committee to report on its work. To comply with best practice in making the best efforts by the Audit Committee to adopt the principles in complying with CIPFA’s “Position Statement: Audit Committee in Local Authorities”.

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The Assistant Director presented the report and outlined the remit and work of the Audit Committee, including the requirement for the Committee to undertake a self?assessment and to report annually to Council on its activities. He provided an overview of the Committee’s role, which included monitoring the implementation of Internal Audit recommendations, supporting the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement, and undertaking ongoing Member training.

Councillor Ryves, Chair of the Audit Committee, addressed Cabinet and highlighted the Committee’s key achievements which included contributing to the development and oversight of the Corporate Risk Register, monitoring Key Performance Indicators, and considering Internal Audit reports and overseeing the implementation of resulting recommendations.  Councillor Ryves referred to the Annual Governance Statement and explained that the Committee had worked to make this more ‘forward looking’ and easier to understand.

Councillor Rust was pleased to hear of the improvements that had been made to make documents easier to understand.

Councillor Ryves thanked all of the officers involved in the Audit Committee.

The Chair thanked the Audit Committee and the Chief Executive for the increased monitoring of Internal Audit recommendations.

Councillor Lintern commented she was pleased to see compliance with policies.

In response to questions from the Chair, it was explained that the recruitment of two Independent Members to sit on the Audit Committee was imminent and remuneration had been benchmarked and would be a set rate per Committee meeting. 

RECOMMENDED: That the Annual report of the Chair of Audit Committee be considered and noted by Full Council.

REASON FOR DECISION: It is recommended practice for the Audit Committee to report on its work. To comply with best practice in making the best efforts by the Audit Committee to adopt the principles in complying with CIPFA’s “Position Statement: Audit Committee in Local Authorities”.