Constitution Part 3 - The Authoritys functions and delegation scheme

Adult and Governance Committee

The Audit and Governance Committee is made up of 10 Elected Members. The Committee is responsible for the Council’s Audit functions including the monitoring of both internal and external audit reports. The Committee undertakes the Council’s statutory scrutiny role in relation to Health and Crime and Disorder. The Committee also undertakes the promotion of high ethical standards and Elected Member conduct under the Code of Conduct for Elected Members and Co-opted Members. 2 Independent Persons appointed by Council and 2 local Parish Council representatives form part of the Committee when undertaking this role. 

Adult and Governance Committee Membership

Membership: 10 Councillors

Quorum: 3 Councillors

No Adult and Governance Committee Function
1 Promote the independent internal audit function and raise awareness of internal control, reviewing controls and financial operations and developing an anti-fraud culture. 
2 Focussing and monitoring the Authority’s audit resources by reviewing the plans and reports of the external auditor and the internal audit team to ensure that audit work is co- ordinated. Determining the arrangements for appointment of the External Auditor. 
3 Monitoring audit performance by including reporting schedules and action on recommendations. 
4  Power to approve Authority’s statement of accounts and Annual Governance Statement. 
5 To scrutinise the Treasury Management Strategy and resulting Treasury Management solutions thereon and to make such recommendations to Full Council as the Committee shall deem appropriate. 
6 Consider the overall effectiveness of the Authority’s corporate governance arrangements, risk management and anti- fraud and anti-corruption arrangements and to seek assurance that action is taken on risk related issues identified by internal and external audit. 
7 Functions relating to the scrutiny of contracts and the monitoring of contracts (at the discretion of the Committee) subject to the formal quotation and tendering procedures under the Authority’s Contract Procedure Rules. 
8 Making appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel as established under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000. 
9 Promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Elected Members and Co-opted members of the Authority. 
10 To delegate to a Hearing Sub-Committee, the conduct of a hearing upon a complaint and to make recommendations and report findings, as appropriate. 
11 To assist in making recommendations through the better governance of the Council insofar as it relates to the maintenance and promotion of high ethical standards. 
12 To exercise and undertake the statutory health scrutiny functions of the Authority under Part 5 of Chapter 2 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and regulations made there under and associated guidance. 
13 To undertake the functions of the Authority’s Crime and Disorder Committee for the purposes of the Police and Justice Act 2006. 
14  Power to determine complaints regarding Elected Members in accordance with the Council’s agreed corporate complaints procedures. 
15

Monitoring the use of Covert Surveillance (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) (RIPA):

  • To receive reports upon the Authority’s use of surveillance powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
  • To examine compliance with the legislation, the Code of Practice and Authority policy in connection to RIPA.
  • To consider whether the Authority policy on RIPA remains fit for purpose and recommend changes where appropriate for the
16 The nomination of members from the Committee to serve on joint bodies formed with neighbouring Authorities for health scrutiny exercises.