150916_Audit Committee Annual Report 14 15

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

COUNCIL

 

19 JULY 2017

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT, GOVERNANCE AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE HELD ON 26 JUNE 2017

 

AUDIT, GOVERNANCE AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE – ANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL 2016/17

 

Issue for Decision

 

To note the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

 

Recommendation Made 

 

That the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee Annual Report 2016/17, which demonstrates how the Committee discharged its duties during 2016/17, provides assurance that important internal control, governance and risk management issues are being monitored and addressed by the Committee and provides additional assurance to support the Annual Governance Statement, be noted.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

The Audit, Governance and Standards Committee, at its meeting held on

26 June 2017, considered its Annual Report for 2016/17 (copy attached as Appendix A).  It was noted that:

 

·           The report represented a retrospective review of the activity of the Committee and reflected its terms of reference.  It provided assurance that important internal control, governance and risk management issues were being monitored and addressed by the Committee and provided additional assurance to support the Annual Governance Statement.

 

·           The report also included a refreshed programme of development briefings, to be delivered prior to each meeting of the Committee, designed to complement and provide insight into the types of issues that the Committee would be considering over the course of the year.

 

The Committee agreed that the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee Annual Report for 2016/17 be approved for submission to the Council.

 

The Committee also felt that the proposed programme of development briefings represented a comprehensive package to address Members’ needs, but asked the Officers to consider whether the proposed briefing on understanding local authority accounts could be brought forward.

 

 

Alternatives Considered and Why Not Recommended

 

No alternative actions are considered appropriate as the report demonstrates how the Committee discharged its duties during 2016/17, provides assurance that important internal control, governance and risk management issues are being monitored and addressed by the Committee and provides additional assurance to support the Annual Governance Statement

 

Background Documents

 

None