Issue - meetings

(See also under Part A Minutes)

Members considered a report which provided information on the role, remit and key relationships of the new Audit and Governance Committee.

The Committee had been introduced following the recent review of the Council’s Constitution and was constituted as a non-executive sub-committee of Full Council.  Guidance issued recently by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Professionals (CIPFA) recommended that authorities formally approve a Statement of Purpose for their audit committees.  A suggested Statement of Purpose was set out in paragraph 5 of the report for Members’ consideration.  CIPFA’s definition of the core functions of an audit committee was outlined in paragraph 7.  These functions had been reflected in the delegations for the Committee included in the Constitution.

In response to Members’ questions, Officers advised that it was their understanding that the Committee had authority to agree its own Statement of Purpose but may choose to refer this to Council for endorsement if desired. Audit committees must remain independent of the scrutiny process, but this did not mean that cross-membership with scrutiny was prohibited.  With regard to training, it was noted that a Member training event on risk management had already been scheduled for 29 June.