The Committee considered the report of the Head of Internal Audit Partnership regarding the report from Local Government Improvement and Development (“LGID”) following the peer review of the Audit Committee.

Mr Lally of LGID gave a brief introduction to the LGID Review of Audit Committees at Ashford, Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils.  It was noted that:-

·  Across all 4 Authorities it was found they were undertaking the duties as required.

·  There was enthusiasm by Members on the work of the committee

·  The Audit Partnership was well regarded

·  There were opportunities for closer collaboration and partnership across the committees, including a greater degree of training for committee members

·  Maidstone’s Audit Committee was seen as well-regarded, well chaired, supported well by officers and seen as a good example of best practice

The Committee asked a number of questions of Mr Lally relating to, inter alia, the importance of keeping track of public service delivery and the national framework; the need to ensure there is a distinction between the role of the Executive/Cabinet and the Audit Committee; the proposal to prepare an Annual Report; independent non-voting members and tracking recommendations made by the Committee.

One Member pointed out that the review showed a strength as being the support the committee received from officers at pre-meetings, but that an area for development was a greater challenge of reports was required.  The Member felt the Committee was a victim of its own strength; in that due to the pre-meetings and support from officers a large number of queries are sorted out prior to the meeting and, therefore, the Committee can be seen as not challenging reports at the main meeting due to the fact that the “challenging” had occurred at the pre-meeting.  This was endorsed by the Committee.

RESOLVED: That an Action Plan, in relation to the review’s findings, be prepared and brought to the next meeting for approval.