NOTICE OF MEETING

Despatch date:          13^th June 2007  

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, Assistant Chief Executive

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 Plan 2007/08 and Three-Year Strategic Plan

The report presents the Annual Audit Plan for 2007/2008 which identifies the scope of the internal audit work for the year, together with  the strategic plan for the three years ending 2009/2010. Both plans comprise two elements: (1) Audit Resources and (2) Planned Systems Audits.

The Committee is asked to approve the 2007/08 Annual Audit Plan and the Three-Year Strategic Plan.

4.         Annual Internal Audit Report 2006/07

In accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit in Local Government, and to accord with the requirements of Corporate Governance, the Internal Audit Annual Report for 2006/2007 has been prepared.  The report provides a summary of the activities of the Internal Audit Section during the financial year, together with the main findings on audits completed.

The Committee is invited to consider the Chief Internal Auditor’s Annual Report.

5.         Detailed Audit Plan – Financial Statements 2006-07

            (published by Baker Tilly)

The responsibilities of External Auditors are derived from Statute and a Code of Audit Practice. The Financial Statements, which comprise the published accounts of the accountable body, are an essential means by which it accounts for its stewardship of the resources at its disposal and its financial performance in the use of those resources.  

It is a requirement under ISA 260 that the External Auditors communicates to the Council the plans for the audit, as well as the   outcomes. It is therefore necessary for the Audit Plan to be placed before the relevant Committee for consideration prior to the start of audit   fieldwork in late July.

6.         Statement on Internal Control 2006-07

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 have established requirements relating to systems of internal control and the review and reporting of those systems. It is required that a Statement on Internal Control, prepared in accordance with proper practices, is published with the Statements of Accounts.

The Committee is invited to consider the production of the Authority’s Statement on Internal Control for 2006/07, and to recommend its adoption.

This agenda can be made available in larger text on request

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.