Issue - meetings

[To note the contents of the latest CIPFA Audit Committee Update]

The Committee received the latest edition of regular briefings issued by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for audit committee members of public bodies. The focus of the update was on the main changes to the CIPFA Position Statement and guidance on publication on audit committees in local authorities and police.

In response to the Chair, Peter Farrow, Head of Audit reported on the key changes to the CIPFA guidance.  It now recommended that all local authority audit committees should include an independent member/ (co-opted) member and that all audit committees should report regularly on their work and produce an annual report.  He noted that the Committee had been compliant with the new CIPFA recommendations for several years.  The guidance also included an updated self-assessment. The Head of Audit reported that previously owing to the turnaround of members on the Committee, it had not been possible to complete the self-assessment.  He suggested that after the 2019 local elections he would revisit it with the members of the Committee.

Resolved:

That the contents of the latest CIPFA Audit Committee update, Issue 26 be noted.