Terms
of Reference
Audit
Activity
1. To
approve, but not direct, the Internal Audit Strategy and annual
audit plan ensuring that appropriate risk assessments have been
carried out when formulating the internal audit plan and to monitor
performance against the plan.
2. To
review any revisions to the plan as advised by the Audit Manager
and agreed by the Assistant Director Finance.
3. To
review half yearly internal audit reports and the main issues
arising and seek assurance from management that action has been
taken, where necessary. It is proposed
to report quarterly.
4. To
consider a report from Internal Audit on agreed recommendations not
implemented within a reasonable timescale.
5. To
consider the Audit Manager’s annual report and opinion, and a
summary of internal audit activity (actual and proposed) and the
level of assurance it can give over the Council’s corporate
governance arrangements.
6. To
consider the external auditor’s annual letter, relevant
reports and the report to those charged with governance.
7. To
consider specific reports as agreed with the external
auditor.
8. To
comment on the scope and depth of external audit work and to ensure
it gives value for money.
9.
To commission work from internal and
external audit.
Regulatory Framework
10. To
review any issue referred to it by the Chief Executive and Growth
Director, senior management or any council body.
11. To
monitor the effective development and operation of risk management
and corporate governance in the Council and agree necessary actions
to ensure compliance with best practice.
12. To
review the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) and to recommend its
adoption.
13. To
consider the Council’s compliance with its own and other
published standards and controls.
14. To
advise the City Council on the adoption of Codes of Conduct with
the aim of promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by
members and officers and the subsequent monitoring and updating of
the Codes.
15. To
develop and adopt a Code of Practice on relations between members
and officers.
16. To develop and
monitor a Local Planning Code.
17. To
ensure the provision of advice and training to members and officers
on the above Codes of Conduct/Practice.
18. To hear and
determine allegations of misconduct.
19. To
be responsible for the Council’s procedure for investigating
and responding to complaints.
20. To give advice to
members on the declaration of interests.
21. To
monitor the “Whistle blowing Policy” which meets the
requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, to
encourage employees to report suspected malpractice, fraud or crime
by other staff, the public or organisations having dealings with
the Council.
22. To
monitor and review the Council’s Anti-fraud, Anti-bribery and
Anti-corruption Strategy.
23. To
monitor the Council’s constitution and, having regard to any
report of the Monitoring Officer, to make appropriate
recommendations where necessary.
Accounts
24. To
approve and adopt the Council’s Statement of Accounts,
income, expenditure and balance sheet or record of receipts and
payments.
25. To consider whether
appropriate accounting policies have been followed and whether
there are concerns arising from the financial statements or from
the audit that need to be brought to the attention of the
Council.
26. To
consider the external auditor’s report to those charged with
governance on issues arising from the audit of the
accounts.