The Audit Committee of Cornwall Council met on 11 April 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including the appointment of a new lay member, the external auditor's plan, the annual governance statement, and the internal audit plan for the upcoming year. The meeting also included a review of the committee's effectiveness and reports from the chief internal auditor.

Here's a more detailed look at the topics on the agenda:

Appointment of Independent Lay Audit Committee Member

The report pack included a proposal to begin the recruitment process for an independent lay member to join the Audit Committee. The term of a current lay member was due to end on 10 May 2025. The report recommended that an appointments panel be created, consisting of three Audit Committee members, including the chair, after the May 2025 elections to manage the recruitment. The responsibilities of the panel would include selecting a suitable candidate and recommending them to the council for approval.

The report pack noted that independent lay members bring specialist knowledge to the committee, enhancing its performance when combined with the elected members' understanding of local practices. The proposed job advert and role profile were included in the report pack as Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 respectively.

The proposed advertisement included in the report pack stated:

Cornwall Council is seeking to recruit a suitable person to act as an independent member of its Audit Committee. An annual allowance of £1,630.27and reasonable expenses are payable for this role.

External Auditor's Audit Plan 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to review the external auditor's audit plan for the 2024/25 financial year. The audit plan, detailed in Appendix 1 of the report pack, outlines the planned scope and timing of the statutory audit of Cornwall Council. This includes forming an opinion on the council's financial statements and assessing its arrangements for securing economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources.

The plan covered key matters such as:

• Significant risks
• Audit scope for the council group
• Materiality
• IT strategy
• Value for money

The report pack noted that the council's auditor would discuss the plan and its key items during the meeting.

Chief Internal Auditor Annual Report 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to consider the chief internal auditor's annual report, which provides an opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the council's control environment for 2024/25.

The report, included as Appendix 1 of the report pack, summarises the audit work undertaken across the council's outcomes and provides information on risk management, governance, and control. It also highlights areas for improvement and agreed management actions.

The report pack included the overall internal audit opinions provided across the council for individual reviews completed during 2024/25 as Appendix 2, and a summary of audit opinions with limited assurance or high risk as Appendix 3. The Annual Risk Management Report 2024/25 and Counter Fraud Annual Report 2024/25 were also attached.

Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to review its own annual report, which details the committee's activities during the past year and the proposed work programme for the following year. The Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-25 summarised the work of the committee relating to:

• Internal audit
• External audit
• Risk management
• Governance
• Anti-fraud and corruption
• Audit Committee performance

The report pack also included the committee's work programme for 2025/26 as Appendix 2, and a self-assessment of the Audit Committee's effectiveness as Appendix 3.

Annual Governance Statement 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to approve the draft Annual Governance Statement 2024-25, which sets out the key elements of the council's governance and internal control features. The appendix to the statement set out the key elements of the council’s governance and internal control features which make up the council’s local Code of Governance and measures its compliance with the local Code of Governance and the Framework¹.

Internal Audit Plan 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to approve the Internal Audit Plan 2025/26, which details the proposed audit activity for the upcoming year. The plan, included as Appendix 1 of the report pack, was developed based on a risk assessment and consultation with senior management and the external auditor.

The plan is divided into two parts, with the first part including audits to be completed in the first 6 months, and the second part including areas that will be re-assessed for prioritisation and completion post September 2025.

Capital Programme Framework - BEPS 2 Framework Update

The Audit Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Capital Programme Framework - BEPS 2 Framework.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee was asked to consider a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting for an item involving information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person.

Please note that this summary is based solely on the agenda and associated documents provided, and does not reflect what was actually discussed or decided during the meeting.