Issue - meetings

To review and approve the Internal Audit Charter.

The Internal Audit Manager presented her report on the mandatory Public Sector Internal Audit Standards’ (PSIAS) requirement for public bodies to have an audit charter and for this to be reviewed biennially by the Audit Committee.

The report included a clean version of the Internal Audit Charter alongside a track-changed version for completeness.  The Internal Audit Charter set out the purpose, authority and responsibilities of the internal audit function with the aim of demonstrating compliance with standards and the effectiveness of systems of internal audit control.  The covering report highlighted the wider responsibilities of the team, including non-audit duties.

The Committee discussed the capacity of the internal audit team and noted that additional work could be undertaken with additional resourcing.  The Committee noted that a growth bid had been presented by the internal audit function and that CIPFA expectations for resourcing needed to be considered.

The Committee noted the ongoing development of risk management and of the Corporate Risk Register.  A risk appetite framework was in the process of being implemented across the Council.

The Committee resolved to approve the Internal Audit Charter.