Audit committee

last updated:30 Mar 2009

Remit:

• The Audit Committee provides an independent review of the overall systems of internal control, oversight of the external audit process The Committee has powers to procure external expert opinion if required and subject to appropriate funding being available and / or value for money justified. 
• The Committee does not have Executive Powers
• The Committee advises the Accounting Officer and Council on strategic processes for risk, control and governance and the statement of internal control.
• The Committee is authorised to scrutinise any activity within its remit and seek any information, which it requires to facilitate such investigations. Including requiring individuals to attend at its meetings, if appropriate. Requests for information from the Internal Auditor shall normally be channeled via the Accounting Officer to whom the Internal Auditor formally reports. 
• No Member of Committee is permitted to serve on any other Committees of Council (other than Statutory Committees) in accordance with the principles of good governance. 
• External and Internal auditors are granted direct access to the Committee at any time, through the Chair, and the Committee may meet with the auditors the absence of Executive Management where necessary
• As part of its responsibilities the Committee may from time to time refer items of concern to the Executive Committee, especially in relation to corporate performance and risk.
              

Delegated powers:

• to review the Council’s range of systems of governance processes and internal control and their effectiveness, ensuring that financial and other systems, controls and reports reflect best practice and provide a secure basis for the efficient and effective management of the Council’s affairs, in accordance with established professional standards.
• to review and monitor the implementation of the Council’s risk management process in order to establish that all key risks are identified and actioned
• to agree the annual work programme of internal audit and ensure that it  reflects the risks of the organisation and that the internal audit function is properly resourced 
• to advise the Accounting Officer on the review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control and the preparation of the Statement of Internal Control
• to review and scrutinise the audited draft annual financial statements ensure the appropriateness of accounting policies and disclosures and to recommend them to the Accounting Officer and to Council.
• to consider reports and recommendations made by internal auditors, including management responses and to monitor the implementation of any corrective action that may arise from such reports
• to advise on the appointment, re- appointment, dismissal and remuneration of the Council’s internal auditors, in compliance with the Council’s normal procurement procedures and to monitor the effectiveness of internal audit
• to advise on the appointment, re-appointment, dismissal and remuneration of the Council’s external auditors, in compliance with the Council’s normal procurement procedures, in the event that the Council ceases to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and to agree the planning and scope of the external audit with the auditors and review their annual management letter or any other reports submitted by them, including management responses to these.
• to monitor and review the Council’s whistle blowing arrangements and through the Chair of the Committee, to provide a means by which individual Members of Council, staff and the public may raise concerns of propriety and to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to reduce the risk of fraud
• to consider any other matters within its remit referred to the Committee by the Council, the Chief Executive or Auditors.

The Audit Committee shall provide a summary report of its business to Council following each meeting and a formal Annual Report to Council which supports the Statement of Internal Control and demonstrates how it has delivered its objectives in respect of all of the above.

Membership of the Audit, Committee (to 31 August 2011):

• Eric Gledhill
• Derek Johns
• Caroline Kolek
• Andy McKinnon
• Stephanie Mason
• Aamer Naeem