Terms of Reference - Corporate Affairs and Audit
Committee
To have delegated powers to:
1.Deal with any matter, which is not an executive
function and that has not been delegated to any other committee of the Council,
including consideration and
approval of the draft and final accounts.
2.Grant dispensation to
Councillors, Co-opted Members and Parish Council Members from the requirements
relating to declarations of interest as set out in Sections 32 of the Localism
Act 2011.
3.Consider any items of
urgency that would require the approval of the Council, as determined by the
Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Council and the Leader of
the Majority Group.
4. External Audit Functions
(a) To advise on the appointment of the Council's
external auditor.
(b) To discuss with the external auditor the nature and
scope of audit coverage, including value for money (VFM).
(c) To review external audit reports and annual audit
letters, together with the management response and make recommendations to the
Executive.
(d) To examine any other concerns of the external
auditors.
5. Internal Audit Functions
(a) Monitor the progress and performance of internal
audit.
(b) To review the internal audit annual plan.
(c) To consider significant findings of Internal audit
reviews and investigations together with management responses and monitor
implementation of agreed recommendations.
(d) To advise the Executive on the internal audit
function, resourcing and standing within the Authority.
(e) To ensure co-ordination between internal and external
auditors.
(f) To consider the Audit Manager's annual report and
comment annually on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal audit control
systems within the Council.
6. Risk Management Functions and Business Continuity
Functions
(a) To support and monitor the implementation and ongoing
processes for identifying and managing key risks of the Authority.
(b) To ensure that effective and proper processes and
procedures are in place to ensure business continuity of the Council.
7. Internal Control Functions
(a) To review and approve the Statement of Internal
Control.
(b) To monitor the Council's compliance with its own
published standards and controls and recommend any necessary changes to
Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders.
8. Corporate Governance
(a) Keeping under review the Council's arrangements for
Corporate Governance and proposing from time to time necessary actions to
ensure compliance with best practice.
(b) To keep under review corporate policies such as the
Public Information Disclosure Code (Whistleblowing) and Anti-fraud Strategy and
data Quality Policy.
(c) Ensuring that effective systems are in place that
will underpin the processes of the Council and ensure the highest standards in
respect of audit and corporate governance matters.
9.
To maintain an overview of the whistle-blowing policy, complaints handling and
Ombudsman Investigations.
10. Reporting
To report to the Executive or to the Council as
appropriate, with findings and recommendations.
Seats:
7
Quorum:
3
Formed:
14 May 2014