Corporate Committee

Terms of reference 1.            To approve the Council Tax base on behalf of the Council.   2.            To approve the Business Rates Tax base on behalf of the Council.   3.            To consider and subsequently approve the Council's Statement of Accounts and to consider any reports produced by the Chief Finance Officer in accordance with the duty to make arrangements for the proper administration of the Council's financial affairs, but not in respect of the formulation of a plan or strategy which is a function of the Cabinet (and subject to final approval by the Council) or detailed operational matters which are within the purview of the Cabinet.   4.            Subject to the Council's Scheme of Delegation, to consider all personnel-related issues which are not within the terms of reference of any other committee or otherwise reserved to Full Council including the appointment of an independent person to undertake investigations as required into allegations of misconduct against the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer or Chief Finance Officer.   5.            Subject to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to officers, to discharge the Council’s functions in relation to health and safety at work, to the extent that those functions are discharged otherwise than in the Council’s capacity as employer.   6.            To consider any adverse report issued by the Local Government Ombudsman, which includes a finding that injustice has been caused to a person aggrieved in consequence of maladministration, together with the action to be taken by the Council in response (including any compensation payments made).   7.            To consider any adverse report issued by the Independent Housing Ombudsman, which includes a finding that injustice has been caused to a person aggrieved in consequence of maladministration, together with the action taken by the Council in response (including any compensation payments made).   8.             To exercise the functions, powers and duties of the Council as Trustee of all trusts for which the Council is corporate trustee except insofar as those functions have been delegated to Strategic Directors of the Council.   9.             To consider nominations for Freedom of the Borough and make recommendation to Full Council.   10.          The functions of the Council under the Rush Common Act 1806, and the determination of applications for consent under the Rush Common Act 1806 other than applications for which no objections have been received that the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Neighbourhoods considers should be approved.   11.          To consider and approve the naming of local streets and buildings in all cases where there are unresolved objections.   12.          To make an order identifying a place as a designated public place for the purposes of police powers in relation to alcohol consumption (under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, Section 13(2)).     13.          Subject to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to officers, to discharge the Council’s functions in relation to elections.   14.          Any issue which in the professional opinion of the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors should be referred to the Committee.   15.          Any matter which has been referred by Full Council or from another committee for determination.   16.          The setting up of sub-committees and panels and the setting of their terms of reference.   17.          All other matters which are non-Cabinet functions, which are not otherwise reserved to Full Council nor are within the terms of reference of any other committee and which are not delegated.   18.          To provide oversight of the Council’s Information Governance arrangements, including receipt of the annual Information Governance Report and any significant information governance issues as they arise.  

Specific Audit Functions 1.             To oversee and/or discharge on behalf of the Council the requirements of the updated Accounts and Audit Regulations 2011, which require the Council to ‘undertake an adequate and effective internal audit of its accounting records and of its system of internal control in accordance with the proper practices in relation to internal control’.   2.            To review the internal audit and counter fraud strategy and to consider whether it meets recommended practices and to champion good internal control, governance and counter fraud practice to the wider organisation.   3.             To review the annual counter fraud plan of activity and resources, seeking assurance that it is in line with the strategy and risk profile.   4.             To consider the Head of Internal Audit and Counter Fraud’s annual report and opinion, and a summary of internal audit and counter fraud activity (actual and proposed) and the level of assurance it can give over the Council’s corporate governance arrangements.   5.             To consider summaries of specific reports of internal audit, investigations; and, external audit reports, in particular those with an “inadequate” audit assurance assessment.   6.             To consider reports dealing with the management and performance of the providers of internal audit services.   7.             To consider a report from the internal audit on agreed recommendations not implemented within a reasonable timescale.   8.             To consider the external auditor’s annual letter (in conjunction with the Cabinet), related reports and such other reports as may be agreed with the external auditor. 9.            To comment on the scope and depth of external audit work and to ensure that it provides value for money.   10.          Following such liaison with Public Sector Audit Appointments as necessary, to approve the appointment of the Council’s external auditor.   11.         To consider and receive reports from the Chief Finance Officer as appropriate and to commission such work from both internal and external audit as may be required.   12.          To monitor the effective development and operation of risk management and corporate governance in the Council.   13.          To monitor Council policies on ‘Raising Concerns at Work/Whistleblowing’, the Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy and the Council’s complaints process.   14.          To consider and approve Full Council’s Annual Governance Statement, including the review of the effectiveness of the assurance framework and, in particular, internal audit   15.          To consider the Council’s arrangements for corporate governance and agreeing necessary actions to ensure compliance with best practice and with the Council’s own and other published standards and protocols.   16.          To review the draft annual statement of accounts for the Council and the Pensions Fund. 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. To consider the external auditor’s report to those charged with governance on issues arising from the audit of the accounts, and then to formally approve the audited annual statement of accounts.   17.          To approve, for submission to Council, an annual report of the activities of the Committee in discharging its various audit functions.   18.          Pursuant to its audit and counter fraud responsibilities, to maintain an overview of the Council’s compliance with the requirements of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Bribery Act 2010.  

Membership Five councillors, plus up to two non-voting co-opted members. The Committee must not be a Cabinet Member.