210306Internal Audit Report

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL FROM: HEAD OF FINANCE REPORT NUMBER E306 TO: OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY DATE OF MEETING 21 MARCH 2006 (STEWARDSHIP) COMMITTEE INTERNAL AUDIT TERMS OF REFERENCE, STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC WORK PROGRAMME 2006/07 1. SUMMARY This report details the proposed Internal Audit revised Terms of Reference, Strategy and Strategic Work Programme for the next financial year. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 That the revised Terms of Reference for the Internal Audit Service (Appendix 1) be approved. 2.2 That the Internal Audit Strategy (Appendix 2) be approved. 2.3 That the 2006/07 Internal Audit Work Programme (Appendix 3) be approved. The Committee is able to resolve these matters. 3. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 3.1 There are no financial implications. 4. KEY INFORMATION Terms of Reference 4.1 The Code of Practice for Internal Audit in Local Government in the United Kingdom 2003 (The Code) requires that the purpose, authority and responsibility of Internal Audit should be formally defined by the organisation in Terms of Reference which: • Are consistent with the Code; • Establish the responsibilities and objectives of Internal Audit; • Establish reporting lines and relationships; • Define the organisational independence of Internal Audit; • Embrace the controlled environment of the organisation including all its operations, resources, services and responsibilities; • Enable the head of Internal Audit (the Audit Manager) to deliver an audit opinion; ...