The Audit Committee provides advice to the Council and the committees on the effectiveness of the arrangements for the proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs, including all relevant strategies and plans. Without prejudice to the generality of the above, the terms of reference include those matters set out below;

Audit Activity

(a) To approve the Annual Internal Audit risk based plan of work.

(b) To consider the Head of Internal Audit’s annual report and opinion, and a summary of Internal Audit activity and the level of assurance it can give over the Council’s corporate governance, risk management and internal control arrangements.

(c) To consider regular progress reports from Internal Audit on agreed recommendations not implemented within a reasonable timescale.

(d) To consider the External Auditor’s annual letter, relevant reports, and the report to those charged with governance.

(e) To comment on the scope and depth of external audit work and to ensure it gives value for money.

(f) To consider the arrangements for the appointment of the Council’s Internal and External Auditors.

Regulatory Framework

1) To maintain an overview of the Council’s Constitution in respect of contract procedure rules, financial regulations and codes of conduct and behaviour.

2) To review any issue referred to it by a Statutory Officer of the Council or any Council body.

3) To monitor the effective development and operation of risk management and corporate governance in the Council.

4) To monitor Council policies and strategies on

Whistleblowing

Money Laundering

Anti-Fraud and Corruption

Insurance and Risk Management

Emergency Planning

Business Continuity

5) To monitor the corporate complaints process.

6) To consider the Council’s arrangements for corporate governance and agreeing necessary actions to ensure compliance with best practice.

7) To consider the Council’s compliance with its own and other published standards and controls.

8) To be responsible for the Council’s strategic and budgetary framework and its implementation.

Accounts

1) To review the annual statement of accounts. 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.

2) To review the Council’s Annual Governance Statement.

3) To consider the External Auditor’s report to those charged with governance on issues arising from the audit of the accounts.