Agenda item

This report sets out the suggested approach for measuring the effectiveness and activity of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee for 2023-24.

Darren Armstrong, Head of Audit & Investigations, introduced a report outlining the suggested approach for measuring the effectiveness and activity of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee for 2023-24.

In considering the report the Committee noted the following key points:

·             The requirement within CIPFAs Position Statement of Audit Committees in Local Authorities for each Committee to report annually on its compliance with the Position Statement and discharge of responsibilities along with an assessment of performance based on the key areas detailed within section 3.2.2 of the report.

·             The Committee had already completed a comprehensive self-assessment exercise at the end of 2022-23 involving all members from which the outcomes had been considered at the meeting in March 2023.  Given the positive outcome of the 2022-23 self-assessment process the Committee were being asked to consider an alternative approach in terms of reporting on its effectiveness for 2023-24 based on the evaluation being included as part of the Chair’s Annual Report rather than a further assessment process repeated.  The Annual Report would then be presented to Committee in June 2024 in support of the process for approving the Annual Governance Statement.

In seeking comments from the Committee on the recommended approach outlined, the following comments/issues were raised:

·             Whilst supportive of the approach outlined in relation to the 2023-24 self-assessment the Chair and Vice-Chair highlighted the importance in maintaining the continued learning and development programme for Committee members with additional training needs identified in relation to (a) Treasury Management Strategy; & (b) the focus on levels of internal control & defence mechanisms.

·             The Committee, as a further suggestion to support the assessment process, also felt it would be helpful to seek views from other stakeholders and to benchmark against other local authorities (as a means of sharing best practice) in relation to the performance, operation and function of the Committee with members also keen, based on a suggestion from Sophia Brown (External Auditor – Grant Thornton), to continue monitoring how audit findings and management responses were being implemented along with any outcomes achieved as a result.

·             Following on from the comments outlined, support was also expressed for the development of KPIs that could be used by the Committee in relation to monitoring actions/trends and implementation of audit findings along with the management responses provided, which it was noted had already been included on the Action Log for consideration within next the update on Internal Audit Plan.

·             The need identified to ensure that efforts continued to be made to clarify how the work being undertaken by the Committee aligned with the key priorities identified within the Borough Plan with the Committee also noting the efforts being made to maintain the Committees independence from the Executive whilst also seeking to co-ordinate its work programme with those of the Council’s two Scrutiny Committee’s in order to ensure as joined up an approach as possible.

With no further issues raised, the Chair thanked officers for the report and also work undertaken to continue the Committee’s process of continuous improvement and it was RESOLVED that the review of effectiveness of the Committee be undertaken as part of, and incorporated within, the Chair’s Annual Report 2023-24 subject to members and independent co-opted members/advisor having the opportunity to submit any further comments/feedback either direct to the Chair or via James Kinsella (Governance Manager).