Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee in relation to the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

The Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 7 December 2023, had considered the revised Terms of Reference, prepared by the Audit and Governance Terms of Reference Working Group, and had recommended to Council the adoption of the revised Audit and Governance Committee Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED: 

That the revised Audit and Governance Terms of Reference be adopted.

To receive and consider the proposed terms of reference for the Audit and Governance Committee.

The Committee considered the report and revised Terms of Reference for the Audit and Governance Committee, as considered and prepared by the Audit and Governance Terms of Reference Working Group.

The Committee reflected on the proposals arising from the recent Corporate Policy Committee to Full Council on 13 December 2023, relating to the merging of the Scrutiny Committee functions into the functions of the Audit and Governance Committee. The Committee agreed that further assessment and consideration of the proposals was needed. It was therefore proposed, seconded and subsequently carried that the Committee formally recommended that Council defers the decision on this matter. 

RESOLVED:

That the Audit and Governance Committee

1. Recommend to Full Council the adoption of the Audit and Governance Committee Terms of Reference (Appendix 2).

2. Request that Full Council note the Committee’s concerns and defers the decision relating to the proposals recommended by the Corporate Policy Committee to merge the functions of the Audit and Governance and Scrutiny Committees, which is contrary to advice from CIPFA and the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. The Audit and Governance Committee request that the decision of Full Council relating to the merger of the functions of the Scrutiny Committee into the Audit and Governance Committee be deferred to allow further consideration to be given as to the impact, risks, efficacy and value for money of merging the functions of the Committees, with a report back to the Audit and Governance Committee to consider the proposal further.