NOTICE OF MEETING

Despatch date:          6^th February 2008

Enquiries to:              Joanne Smith      

Tel: 01270 537032

Fax: 01270 537605

Chair :                      Councillor G Fenton

Tel : 01270 628795

Fax: 01270 628795

E-mail: agendas@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

To:       Members of the Audit Committee  - For attendance

(Councillors H Curran, G Fenton (Chair), C Goff, S Hogben,A C Johnson ),

Chief Executive, Executive Directors, Strategic Managers

Other recipients of the agenda

Local Press and Radio

Notes for Members of the Public

The Borough Council welcomes and encourages members of the public to attend its Committee, Board and Council meetings.

If you plan to attend, please report to the Reception Desk in the Municipal Buildings, where you will be provided with a Visitor’s Pass.

Car parking is not available at the Municipal Buildings, but there are several town centre car parks. There is a disabled access to the rear of the Municipal Buildings, and this can be accessed through the side door on Vernon Way.  Please press the button for attention, and someone will meet you and escort you through to the main reception area.

You are asked to remain quiet whilst the meeting is taking place, and to enter and leave the meeting room, or public gallery of the Council Chamber, as quietly as possible. Please ensure that if you have a mobile phone or pager, it is switched off for the duration of the meeting.

You are not allowed to have drinks or food in the meeting rooms or in the Public Gallery, other than beverages offered by the Council during Committee breaks. A “No Smoking” policy operates in the Municipal Buildings.

Fire Evacuation

If the fire alarm rings, you should make your way to the nearest exit with your belongings, as quickly as possible, and leave the building. Please follow any instructions from staff about evacuation routes.

Copies of the agenda will be available if you attend. Agendas are also made available on the Internet and can be accessed via the Council’s website – see front page for details.

On occasions, members of the press and public will be excluded from the meetings when the business to be transacted is of a confidential nature, for example, dealing with individual people, contracts and financial affairs of other parties.

If you require any further information, please contact Joanne Smith the Committee Officer (details on front page).

AGENDA

1.         Apologies

2.         Declaration of Interests

Any Member present (including non-Committee Members) to declare any personal or prejudicial interest, and the nature of the interest, which they have in any item of business on the agenda and, if necessary, to leave the meeting prior to discussion of that item.

Members who also serve as County, Town or Parish Councillors, are reminded of the need to make declarations in respect of any item which directly concerns the business of the appropriate authority.

Declarations are a personal matter for each Member to decide. Whilst Officers will advise on the Code of Conduct and its interpretation, the decision to declare, or not, is the responsibility of the Member, based on the particular circumstances.

3.         Annual Audit and Inspection Letter 06/07       

The Committee is invited to receive, for information the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter 2006/07.  (Report to Follow)

4.         Use of Resources – Auditor Judgements 2007

The Use of Resources judgements assess how well councils manage and use their financial resources. The assessment is undertaken yearly for each council and is completed by the External Auditors under their Code of Audit Practice.

The Committee is asked to consider the External Auditor’s Report on Use of Resources – Auditor Judgements 2007.

>    External Auditors Report - Use of Resources 2007

>    External Auditors Report Summary - Use of Resources 2007

5.         New Corporate Governance Framework

The Audit Committee Terms of Reference include the requirement ‘To monitor the effective development and operation of Corporate Governance in the Council’. This report informs Members of the work completed nationally by a working group, led by CIPFA and SOLACE, to review and update the Corporate Governance criteria against which all Local Government bodies are required to comply.

The Committee is requested to note the contents of the new Corporate Governance Framework and the requirements contained therein.

>    Corporate Governance Framework report

>    Corporate Governance Framework Summary report 

6.         Review of Risk Management

The Audit Committee Terms of Reference include the requirement ‘To monitor the effective development and operation of Risk Management in the Council.’ This is a key development in the further evolution of Risk Management.

Accordingly, a review has been undertaken by Internal Audit which has identified the present position, and the proposals for action that will ensure that the Council updates its processes in line with new developments. The report records the main features of the review and the Committee is asked to note the contents of the draft Internal Audit report on Risk Management.

>    Risk Report Nov 2007

>    Risk Report Summary Nov 2007 

7.         Interim Audit Interim Report – 2007- 2008         

The Committee is invited to consider the report of the Principal Auditor, Treasury & Corporate Support.

The interim report provides a commentary on the results of the main areas of audit activity for the period 1^st September to 31^st December 2007 and the Committee is invited to consider the contents of the Interim Report.

>    Internal Audit Interim Report

>    Internal Audit Interim Report Summary

Note: 

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Council is required to notify those attending meetings of the fire evacuation procedures. A copy has previously been distributed to Members and instructions are located in all rooms within the Civic Suite.

If you require this document or a summary version in large print, Braille, audiotape, CD or in another language, please contact:

                                                           Equality & Diversity

                                             Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council,

                                                         Municipal Buildings,

                                                                Earle Street,

                                                                     Crewe,

                                                                    Cheshire,

                                                                     CW1 2JZ

                                                              Tel. 01270 537565

                                   Email. petra.dexterduskova@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk