Minutes of 21 January 2011

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to support the Management Board to ensure a financially sound and efficient organisation, which makes full and effective use of resources in support of DFID objectives.

The Audit Committee met on 21 January 2011 to discuss:

Internal Audit (IA) Strategy and 2011 work plan

The Audit Committee confirmed that it was content with the plan and welcomed the proposed assessment of financial aid.

IA progress on the 2010 work plan

IA is on track to deliver the current work plan and confirmed that, on the implementation of agreed actions, no critical actions remained open.

National Audit Office (NAO) progress report

NAO confirmed audits were progressing as planned and nothing of significance had come out of the Resource Accounts interim audit.

NAO/IA rolling action plans

Progress on actions to address previously raised recommendations from NAO and IA was noted and it was agreed that guidance would be produced around the operational capacity of partners.

Directors Statement of Assurance

The Committee considered the proposed template for this year’s process and confirmed that, while there were points to reflect upon, they were comfortable with this.

Bribery Act update

DFID’s readiness for the act and communication of key aspects of the Act were discussed. The Committee recommended that staff should be made fully aware of their personal responsibilities and requested an update on progress at the next Committee meeting.

Review of the Corporate Risk Register (CRR) and risk framework

The Committee provided comments and advice on the progress so far and requested an update at the next Committee meeting

CRR – Quarter 3 2011/12

This was considered by the Committee. Suggested improvements to add more meaning to the residual ratings were discussed.

Value for Money Director update

Current key issues within finance were summarised including the outcome of the Spending Review, publication of project documentation and the current review of the Axis programme.

Last updated: 03 Oct 2011