Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the Audit Committee Annual Report for 2014/15.  It was noted that the report was a retrospective review of the activity of the Audit Committee and reflected that Committee’s terms of reference.

The Committee agreed that the report demonstrated that the Audit Committee had effectively discharged its duties during 2014/15 and provided assurance that important internal control, governance and risk management issues were monitored and addressed by the Committee.  The report also provided additional assurance to support the Annual Governance Statement.

The Committee indicated that it would wish to receive similar reports reflecting its own terms of reference in future.

Arising from its consideration of the report, the Committee was informed that the Audit Committee had agreed a Member Development Programme based on its terms of reference and the wider requirements set out in CIPFA’s Audit Committee guide.  Development sessions covering topics such as strategic risk management, countering fraud and the process for the appointment of external auditors had been arranged to take place immediately prior to meetings of the Committee.

The Committee felt that a comprehensive package of training was required to address Members’ development needs and workflow demands and that the development sessions should be made available to all Members of the Council and the Parish Council representatives and scheduled to enable working Members to attend.  The Head of Audit Partnership offered to submit a report to the September meeting of the Committee setting out a suggested series of Member development sessions.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Audit Committee Annual Report for 2014/15 be approved as a fair representation of the activity of the Committee.

2.  To RECOMMEND to the COUNCIL:  That the Audit Committee Annual Report 2014/15, which demonstrates how the Committee discharged its duties during 2014/15, provides assurance that important internal control, governance and risk management issues were monitored and addressed by the Committee, and provides assurance to support the Annual Governance Statement, be noted.

3.  That the Head of Audit Partnership be requested to submit a report to the September meeting of the Committee setting out a suggested series of development sessions to address Members’ needs and workflow demands.