The Committee meets at least four times yearly and undertakes the following functions:
Audit Functions:
- Reviewing and Approving the Authority’s statement of Accounts, Annual Governance Statement and Statement of Assurance.
- Discussing the nature and scope of the forthcoming audit with the external auditor.
- Receiving and commenting on the external auditor's audit completion report and Annual Audit letter.
- Receiving regular progress reports from Internal Audit and considering the issues and action plans arriving from any audit.
- Approving the Internal Audit Charter.
- Considering the report on the annual review of Internal Audit effectiveness.
- Ensuring all auditors have the full cooperation of staff.
- Reviewing the Annual Governance Statement prior to its approval.
- Reviewing and reporting on corporate governance arrangements.
- Oversight of the risk management process and the corporate risk register.
- Considering update reports on existing and emerging corporate risks.
- Considering reports from internal and external audits and inspections.
- Promoting the value of the audit process.
Finance functions:
- Supervise the process of investigation and determination of complaints of breach of the authority’s code of conduct for members.
- Grant appropriate dispensations to members pursuant to S33 of the Localism Act 2011 insofar as this responsibility is not delegated to the Monitoring Officer.
- Ensure that members of the Fire and Rescue Authority are adequately trained in their obligations under the code of conduct.
- Review and report on the quarterly and annual financial statements of the authority.
- Consider and make recommendations to the authority for the proposed Revenue and Capital Budgets and medium term financial plans.
- Consider any changes in the budget allocations arising from changes in strategic policies and service plans.
- Consider any proposals for growth or budget reductions.
- Consider the revenue and capital budgets, medium term financial plan, council tax levels and associated information prior to approval by the Fire Authority.
- Consider Treasury Management policy and strategy and on-going performance.
- Consider value for money reviews and indicators.
The available committee papers are listed in the column on the righthand side of this page.