Changes proposed for South Tyneside Council audit panel

South Tyneside Council’s Audit Committee is supposed to provide ‘independent assurance’ in overseeing the local authority’s finances and performance.

But following a review it has been suggested its ability to do this may be affected by the presence of key decision makers on the panel.

Peter Hunter, the council’s corporate assurance manager, said: “We’ve identified that lead members part of the executive should not be part of the Audit Committee going forward, so we’re recommending that should change.”

Hunter was speaking at a meeting of the committee, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

The panel is made up of five councillors, currently including Ed Malcolm, who until last week was the borough’s cabinet member for resources and innovation, responsible for drawing up the council’s spending plans.

A recent review found the committee was largely compliant with official guidelines, but, as well as greater separation between itself and decision makers, recommended:

:: Updating audit rules

:: Requiring members to ‘self-assess against the core knowledge and skills’ needed for the panel’s work

:: Publish an annual report on work carried out

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