Internal Audit
I.
The annual Internal Audit Report, including the Head of Internal
Audit and Risk Management’s Annual Opinion over the
Council’s assurance framework and internal control
environment.
II.
The annual risk-based plan of internal audit work, from which the
annual opinion on the level of governance, risk management and
internal control can be derived. The plan will include the budget
requirement and resource plan in terms of audit days needed to
deliver the programme of work.
III.
The internal audit charter, defining the service’s purpose,
authority and responsibilities. The charter will cover arrangements
for appropriate resourcing define the role of internal audit in
fraud-related work and set out arrangements for avoiding conflicts
of interest.
IV.
Regular updates from the Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management
on audit and investigation activities. These will include progress
on delivering the annual programme of work, emerging themes, risks
and issues and management’s responsiveness in implementing
recommendations and responding to Internal Audit. In line with
requirements of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards,
performance of the Internal Audit Service and the results of
quality assurance and improvement activities will also be
reported.
V.
Specific internal audit reports agreed between the Chair and the
Executive Director Resources or the Chief Executive.
VI.
The Council’s policies on ‘Raising Concerns at
Work’ and the ‘Anti fraud
and corruption strategy’.
VII.
The implementation of relevant legislation relating to fraud and
corruption.
External Audit
I.
The External Auditor’s Annual Letter and relevant
reports.
II.
Specific reports as agreed with the
External Auditor.
III.
To comment on the scope and depth of external audit work and to
ensure it gives value for money.
IV.
The External Auditor’s Report to those charged with
governance from the audit of the accounts
Risk Management
I.
The strategy for effective development and operation of risk
management and corporate governance in the Council to ensure
compliance with best practice.
II.
Departmental and corporate risk
registers.
Procurement and Contracts
I.
An overview of the Council’s Constitution in respect of
contract procedure rules, financial regulations and relevant codes
of conduct and protocols.
II.
Reports on waiving of contract procedure rules.
Other issues
I.
The Council’s annual Statement of Accounts.
II.
Any matters referred to it from the Monitoring Officer’s
meetings.
III.
Any issue referred to it by the Chief Executive or a Director, or
any Council body for determination.
IV.
An Annual Report, for submission to Council, summarising the work
done by the Committee over the past year and outlining work to be
done in the year to come.
V.
The Council’s Annual Governance Statement and to formally
agree it.
VI.
Quarterly updates on the use of Regulation of Investigatory Powers
Act 2000 (RIPA).
VII.
Commissioned work from internal and external audit, the Executive
Director Resources or other Council officers
Constitution
I.
To keep under review and make recommendation to the Council advised
by the monitoring officer, on the Constitution to ensure that the
aims and principles of the Constitution
Members Support
I.
Making recommendations to the Council for the adoption or revision
of a scheme of allowances, training and development for
Members.
II.
To consider issues and develop proposals relating to all aspects of
Members’ support, including:
• Administrative and ICT
support;
• Members’
enquiries; and
• Members’
wellbeing and office accommodation support.
Elections
I.
To review and agree the electoral arrangements in the borough
relating to the designation of polling districts and polling places
in accordance with any provisions of the Representation of the
People Acts.
II.
To receive reports from the Returning Officer on the conduct of
major elections in the Borough, and to make relevant
recommendations to Council as necessary in respect of the areas
which come within the Council’s jurisdiction.
III.
To receive reports from the Electoral Registration Officer on the
administration of the Register of Electors and the absent voting
process in the Borough, and to make relevant recommendations to
Council as necessary in respect of the areas which come within the
Council’s jurisdiction.
IV.
To consider consultation papers from government and other bodies
(such as The Electoral Commission) on aspects of the electoral
process, and to agree the Council’s formal responses to such
consultations.