Audit & Governance

The Audit & Governance Committee is one of the most consequential bodies within Ambridge District Council’s democratic structure, carrying responsibility for the independent oversight of the council’s financial integrity, internal controls, risk management framework, and standards of governance. It exists to provide assurance — to councillors, officers, and the public alike — that the council is managing public money responsibly, operating within its legal and procedural obligations, and maintaining the standards of conduct expected of a modern, accountable local authority.

Chaired by Catherine Newton, the committee operates as a Scrutiny-type body under committee code AMB-AUD-003, functioning within the current 2025 municipal year with a quorum of four members. As a Scrutiny committee, its role is distinct from the executive decision-making functions of other bodies — it does not make policy, but rather holds the executive to account by examining the processes, systems, and controls through which decisions are made and resources are deployed.

The committee’s financial oversight responsibilities are wide-ranging. It receives and considers reports from the council’s internal and external auditors, scrutinises the annual statement of accounts, monitors the implementation of audit recommendations, and satisfies itself that the council’s financial management arrangements are fit for purpose. Where weaknesses or areas of concern are identified, the committee has the authority to require explanations from officers and to recommend remedial action to the full council.

Beyond finance, the Audit & Governance Committee plays a central role in upholding the ethical standards that underpin public life in Ambridge. It oversees the council’s compliance with its own constitution, monitors adherence to the Members’ Code of Conduct, and ensures that the governance frameworks within which the council operates remain robust, transparent, and aligned with current legislation and best practice. In an era of increasing public scrutiny of local government, this function is more important than ever.

Risk management is another core area of the committee’s work. It reviews the council’s corporate risk register, challenges the assumptions underpinning risk assessments, and satisfies itself that significant risks to the council’s objectives — whether financial, operational, reputational, or legal — are being identified, monitored, and managed effectively. This forward-looking dimension of the committee’s role is essential in helping the council navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.

As a top-level committee with no parent body, the Audit & Governance Committee exercises its scrutiny functions with full independence, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the full council. Residents can take confidence in the fact that this committee stands as a dedicated check on the council’s own conduct — ensuring that the public interest is never subordinated to institutional convenience.