Audit and Governance Committee

 

Effectiveness Review – survey results

 

1. The role and purpose of the Audit and Governance Committee is understood and accepted across the Council

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

87.50%

7

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

2. The Audit and Governance Committee supports the Council in meeting the requirements of good governance

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

87.50%

7

3

Occasionally

0.00%

0

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

3. Those charged with governance and in leadership positions within the Council have a good understanding of the role and purpose of the Audit and Governance Committee

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

25.00%

2

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

12.50%

1

answered

8

skipped

0

 

4. The Audit and Governance Committee escalates issues and concerns promptly to those in governance and leadership roles

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

25.00%

2

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

 

37.50%

3

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

5. Meetings of the Audit and Governance are effective with a good level of discussion and engagement from all members

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

62.50%

5

3

Occasionally

 

25.00%

2

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

6. Audit and Governance Committee members demonstrate a good understanding of the Committee's role and purpose

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

62.50%

5

3

Occasionally

 

25.00%

2

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

7. Audit and Governance Committee members have sufficient skills, experience and resources to undertake their duties effectively

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

62.50%

5

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

12.50%

1

answered

8

skipped

0

 

8. The knowledge, skills and training needs of the Audit and Governance Committee members are periodically evaluated

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

25.00%

2

3

Occasionally

 

50.00%

4

4

Rarely

 

12.50%

1

5

N/A

 

12.50%

1

answered

8

skipped

0

 

9. Additional training and support is provided to Audit and Governance Committee members where this is identified as a need 

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

25.00%

2

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

25.00%

2

answered

8

skipped

0

 

 

10. The Audit and Governance Committee maintains constructive working relationships with those officers who regularly attend Committee meetings

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

37.50%

3

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

11. The Audit and Governance Committee’s discussions enhance the quality of management’s decision making

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

 

37.50%

3

4

Rarely

 

12.50%

1

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

12. Audit and Governance Committee meetings allow sufficient time for the discussion of substantive matters  

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

75.00%

6

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

 

13. Audit and Governance Committee meetings remain focused on key governance, risk and audit issues   

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

 

37.50%

3

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

14. The size and composition of the Audit and Governance Committee is appropriate for its purpose

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

50.00%

4

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

0.00%

0

4

Rarely

 

12.50%

1

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

15. Audit and Governance Committee papers are concise and relevant, with key issues and priorities clearly explained

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

87.50%

7

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

 

16. Audit and Governance Committee members focus on the council’s key priorities and risks rather than immaterial issues

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

 

37.50%

3

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

17. Audit and Governance Committee members understand their role and responsibilities, and avoid discussing issues outside of the Committee’s remit 

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

100.00%

7

3

Occasionally

0.00%

0

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

7

skipped

1

 

18. Audit and Governance Committee meetings are well chaired, ensuring key agenda items are addressed with a focus on improvement

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

 

37.50%

3

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

12.50%

1

answered

8

skipped

0

 

 

19. The Audit and Governance Committee maintains a non-political approach to discussions throughout  

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

75.00%

6

3

Occasionally

 

25.00%

2

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

20. The Audit and Governance Committee engages with a wide range of officers regarding the Council’s governance arrangements, audit findings, risks and action plans

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

50.00%

4

2

Mostly

 

25.00%

2

3

Occasionally

 

25.00%

2

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

21. The Audit and Governance Committee regularly makes recommendations for the improvement of the Council’s governance, risk and control arrangements

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

25.00%

2

2

Mostly

 

25.00%

2

3

Occasionally

 

50.00%

4

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

 

22. The Audit and Governance Committee’s recommendations have traction with those in leadership roles

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

12.50%

1

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

 

37.50%

3

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

12.50%

1

answered

8

skipped

0

 

23. The relationship between the Audit and Governance Committee and the Council’s executive and scrutiny functions is effective

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

0.00%

0

2

Mostly

 

75.00%

6

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

12.50%

1

answered

8

skipped

0

 

24. The Audit and Governance Committee has an appropriate dialogue with the external auditor regarding issues that arise during the course of the annual audit

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

37.50%

3

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

 

25. The Audit and Governance Committee meets privately with the external auditors and the Head of Internal Audit at least annually

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

25.00%

2

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

 

12.50%

1

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

 

25.00%

2

answered

8

skipped

0

 

26. The Audit and Governance Committee understands and effectively discharges its responsibilities in respect of the Council’s Financial Statements and Annual Governance Statement, providing adequate challenge and seeking explanations from officers where necessary

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

50.00%

4

2

Mostly

 

50.00%

4

3

Occasionally

0.00%

0

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

27. The Audit and Governance Committee understands and effectively discharges its responsibilities for overseeing the Council’s treasury management arrangements

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

62.50%

5

2

Mostly

 

37.50%

3

3

Occasionally

0.00%

0

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

28. The Audit and Governance Committee understands and effectively discharges it responsibilities in respect of internal and external audit, counter fraud and risk management

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Always

 

37.50%

3

2

Mostly

 

62.50%

5

3

Occasionally

0.00%

0

4

Rarely

0.00%

0

5

N/A

0.00%

0

answered

8

skipped

0

 

29. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the Audit and Governance Committee’s effectiveness?

Answer Choices

Response Percent

Response Total

1

Open-Ended Question

100.00%

5

1

Generally the committee works well. However, there has been a tendency, on some issues, for the committee to become politicised, on issues where the minority group seeks to criticise the administration. The committee also has, on occasion, a tendency to focus on the minutiae of issues rather than on the 'big picture'. Finally, there are occasions when officers are 'caught in the crossfire' of political disagreements, and members do not check themselves in that behaviour.

2

Some of the standard replies to some questions do mot make great sense; some questions are difficult to answer without interrogating others.

3

The greatest opportunity for improvement is to ensure discussions remains strategic and that officers' decisions are scrutinised at a high level. There is a tendency to engage in the detail, such as clauses within a contract, rather than seek assurance and focus on the big picture.

4

There isn't enough time to discuss each internal audit properly, or for full discussion about detailed annual budget questions or concerns. Audit and Governance sometimes tackles issues more like a scrutiny committee and clarity over the purpose would be useful.

5

Perhaps more training if required could be made available for committee members.
There was initial LGA training for chairs and VCs but more would be welcome.
Sometimes the papers for meetings are huge in volume and too many to be well read before meetings. Thought should be given to a reasonable amount of reading and succinct reports for members.

answered

5

skipped

3