Iain Miles, Internal Auditor Manager introduced the report of the Chief Internal Auditor that informed that to comply with best professional practice the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC) was required to complete an annual report to Cabinet on the work undertaken by the Committee.

To comply with best practice identified in the CIPFA publication ‘Audit Committees - A Practical Guidance for Local Authorities 2018’, Members were apprised that the annual report for 2018/19 has been prepared by Councillor Adrian Jones, past Chair of the ARMC in consultation with Internal Audit utilising the self assessment checklist provided by CIPFA in its publication ‘Audit Committees – Practical Guidance for Local Authorities 2018’.

The report recorded the activities undertaken by the Committee across a wide range of control, risk and corporate governance matters. It informed that during the year, the Committee had met on six occasions and received reports in connection with the full range of issues that fell within its remit. The report indicated the breadth of the Audit and Risk Management Committee’s activities to ensure that every aspect of the council’s work should be compliant with standards and transparent to its stakeholders.

The Annual Report demonstrated the value that the Committee brought to the Council and the public in ensuring that improvements to the governance arrangements of the authority were being delivered and to the improvement and development of operational standards and protocols across a wide range of governance areas during what had been a very challenging year.

The report also acknowledged the work of the Members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the supporting officers, during the past year.

Resolved – That the Audit and Risk Management Committee Annual Report be approved and submitted to Cabinet and Council for consideration.