Audit Committee

Audit Committee Terms of Reference   (i) To consider the Head of Internal Audit’s annual report and opinion and a summary of internal audit activity (actual and proposed) and the level of assurance it can give over the Council’s corporate governance arrangements.   ii) To consider summaries of internal audit reports.   iii) To consider a report from internal audit on agreed recommendations not implemented within a reasonable timescale.   iv) To consider the External Auditor’s annual letter, relevant reports and the report to those charged with governance.   v) To consider specific reports as agreed with the External Auditor   vi) To commission work from internal and external audit   Risk Management i) Receiving quarterly reports with respect to the effectiveness of risk management procedures.   ii) Achievement of Business Continuity Plans   iii) Notification of Internal Audit recommendations in respect of Risk Management procedures   Regulatory Framework i) To maintain an overview of the Council’s constitution in respect of contract procedure rules, financial regulations and codes of conduct and behaviour.   ii) To monitor the effective development and operation of risk management and corporate governance in the Council.   iii) To monitor council policies on “Whistleblowing” and the anti-fraud and anti-corruption strategy and the Council’s complaints process.   iv) To review the Assurance Statement of the Chief Internal Auditor (Manager of Resource Services) in support of the authority’s Statement of Internal Control   v) To consider the Council’s arrangements for corporate governance and agreeing necessary actions to ensure compliance with best practice.   Accounts i) To consider the external auditor’s report to those charged with governance on issues arising from the audit of the accounts.   Officer Delegation All Corporate Directors Authority for each Corporate Director, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, to authorise payment of compensation of up to £500.00 in order to settle a complaint made to the Council directly or through the Local Government Ombudsman.