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Risk and Assurance CommitteeKomiti Kaute me te Aukati Mōreareatanga

The Risk and Assurance Committee assists Council to discharge its responsibilities for the robustness of the internal control framework, the robustness of risk management systems, process and practices, the independence and adequacy of internal and external audit functions and, compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards and best practice guidelines

RISK AND ASSURANCE COMMITTEE 

Membership 

Andrew Gibbs  (Chair - Independent) 

Councillor Tim Aitken (Deputy Chair) 

Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Gerard Minehan, Councillor Pip Burne and Mike Timmer (Independent Member)

A second independent member may be appointed by the committee to ensure appropriate mix of legal and financial skills.  

Meeting frequency 

The committee shall meet FIVE (5) times per year with ONE (1) of those meetings dedicated to reviewing the Annual Report. 

Quorum 

As set by Standing Orders 

Purpose 

The purpose of the Risk and Assurance Committee is two fold:

• Provide assurance to key council policies, systems and controls

• Provide governance on council risk.

Specifically:

• Ensuring that Council has appropriate financial, health and safety and internal controls in place for the purpose of managing, analysing, treating, monitoring and communicating assurance.

• Ensuring that Council has appropriate management policies, procedures and practices for the purpose of identifying, analysing, evaluating, treating, monitoring and communicating risk.

To determine, on an annual basis or more regularly depending on legislation and market forces, the risk appetite of CHBDC and to promulgate this to Council for ratification.

Responsibilities 

The Council delegates to the Audit and Risk Committee the following responsibilities: 

  • To monitor the Council’s treasury activities to ensure that it remains within policy limits. Where there are good reasons to exceed policy, that this be recommended to Council. 

  • To review the Council’s insurance policies on an annual basis. 

  • To review, in depth, the Council’s annual report and if satisfied, recommend the adoption of the annual report to Council. 

  • To work in conjunction with Management in order to be satisfied with the existence and quality of cost-effective health and safety management systems and the proper application of health and safety management policy and processes. 

  • To work in conjunction with the Chief Executive in order to be satisfied with the existence and quality of cost-effective risk management systems and the proper application of risk management policy and processes, including that they align with commitments to the public and Council strategies and plans. 

  • To provide a communications link between management, the Council and the external and internal auditors.   

  • To engage with Council’s external auditors and approve the terms and arrangements for the external audit programme. 

  • To engage with Council’s internal auditors and approve the terms and arrangements for the internal audit programme. 

  • To monitor the organisation’s response to the external and internal audit reports and the extent to which recommendations are implemented. 

  • To engage with the external and internal auditors on any one-off assignments. 

  • To work in conjunction with management to ensurre compliance with applicable laws, regulations standards and best practice  guidelines. 

Delegations 

Subject to any expenditure having been approved in the Long Term Plan or Annual Plan the Audit Committee shall have delegated authority to approve: 

  • risk management and internal audit programmes 

  • terms of the appointment and engagement of the audit with the external auditor 

  • additional services provided by the external auditor. 

  • the proposal and scope of the internal audit 

 

In addition, the Council delegates to the Audit and Risk Committee the following powers and duties: 

  • The Audit and Risk Committee can conduct and monitor special investigations in accordance with Council policy, including engaging expert assistance, legal advisors or external auditors, and, where appropriate, recommend action(s) to Council. 

  • The Audit and Risk Committee can recommend to Council: 

  • Adoption or non-adoption of completed financial and non-financial performance statements. 

  • Governance policies associated with Council’s financial, accounting, risk management, compliance and ethics programmes, and internal control functions, including the: Liability Management Policy, Treasury Policy, Sensitive Expenditure Policy, Fraud Policy, and Risk Management Policy. 

  • Accounting treatments, changes in generally accepted accounting practice (GAAP). 

  • New accounting and reporting requirements. 

 The Audit and Risk Committee may not delegate any of its responsibilities, duties or powers. 

Professional and Development Learning 

All members will participate in a Risk and Assurance Governance Training in the first year of membership.  

Governance Documentation

Underpinning good governance are a range of documents that ensure Council is clear on its accountabilities, expectations and responsibilities. You can find these documents here.

Code of Conduct 2022 - 2025 Triennium
Committee Terms of Reference
Council and Community Representation Schedule 2022 - 2025
CHBDC Governance Statement 2023
Standing Orders 2022 - 2025 Triennium
Triennial Agreement 2022-25
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