The purpose of an audit committee is to provide independent
assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework and the
associated control environment, independent scrutiny of the
authority's financial and non-financial performance to the extent
that it affects the authority's exposure to risk and weakens the
control environment, and to oversee the financial reporting
process.
Following changes to the arrangements governing the Members
Code of Conduct under the Localism Act 2011, the Committee is also
now responsible for matters relating to standards of Member
conduct, including dealing with any complaints.