Audit Committee to Review Governance Matters at Wrexham Council

Wrexham County Borough Council’s Audit Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss a number of reports about key governance and audit matters.

The Audit Committee is a statutory committee responsible for reviewing the Council’s financial affairs, risk management, internal control and corporate governance arrangements.

During the meeting the Committee will be asked to approve the Internal Audit Charter for 2017-18. This document sets out the purpose, authority and responsibility of the Council’s Internal Audit Service and how it is consistent with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

Jerry O’Keeffe, the Independent Lay Member and Chair of the Audit Committee, said: “The Internal Audit Service is a key assurance function that provides the Council with an independent and objective opinion.

“It is therefore vital that the Audit Committee is satisfied that the status of the Internal Audit Service and the way that it operates are consistent with the standards”.

The Charter includes a risk-based plan of the audits scheduled for the 2017-18 financial year.

The Audit Committee will also receive a report concerning progress on the actions arising from the Council’s 2016 Annual Governance Statement. This Statement, which is published the Council’s website, provides assurance concerning how the Council is run and is based on a review of governance.

Mr O’Keeffe added: “Given the challenges currently faced by the Council, it is more important than ever to have good standards of governance. The Audit Committee will be looking for assurance that any improvements required from producing the 2016 Statement have been implemented and are effective”.

The Committee will also consider two reports from the Wales Audit Office, the Council’s external auditor. One report concerns a review of the Council’s financial resilience and its approach to planning for savings, which concluded that the Council’s arrangements for this continue to be effective. The other report sets out the planned programme of external audit work for 2017-18.

Mr O’Keeffe said: ”In view of the continuing significant financial challenges it is encouraging that the Council’s approach to financial savings will support financial resilience in the future.

“Nevertheless, as well as the internal assurance work that the Audit Committee receives, the Committee will continue to support the work of the external auditors and will seek assurance that the Council continues to adequately respond to their reports”.