Agenda item

The Executive Director Finance, Assets and Information Services and Executive Director, Legal and Governance will submit a joint report presenting the outcomes from the Workshop held on the 4^th November, 2015 and presenting a draft action plan for approval.

The Executive Director Finance, Assets and Information Services and the Executive Director Legal and Governance submitted a joint report on the outcomes of the Workshop held on the 4^th November, 2015 to review the future arrangements for the operation of the Audit Committee.  Appended to the report was a Draft Action Plan which was submitted for approval.

The Key areas discussed at the Workshop had been incorporated into the proposed Action/Development Plan and were outlined in detail within the report.  The Committee was asked to consider further these key areas and to agree the proposed activities.  It was reported that timescales were being drawn up and would be incorporated into the Plan for implementation and this would be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.

In addition to the key areas and emerging actions, as now outlined, it would also be necessary to consider how best to support the Committee within the limited officer resources.  This aspect would also be kept under review and any issues brought to the Committee’s attention.

In the ensuing discussion reference was made to the following:

·         The self assessment, using the CIPFA questionnaire would be circulated to all members in WORD format so that this could be completed online.  It was noted that some Members had already completed and submitted their response.  The rationale for using this CIPFA guidance was outlined

·         Ms L Wild representing the External Auditor commented that she had an Audit Committee Self Assessment questionnaire and audit survey which would enable the Committee to benchmark against other Audit Committees.  She would make this available for Members

·         It was noted that this was an ‘emerging’ document and that timescales for action would be incorporated

·         Members of the Committee were asked to let the Head of Internal Audit have any comments on the action plan as a matter of urgency

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the report and draft Action Plan be approved and a further report be submitted to the next meeting detailing proposed timescales for action

(ii)          That Members of the Committee complete the self assessment questionnaire and submit comments on the Action Plan to the Head of Internal Audit as a matter of urgency.