Role of the Committee

The primary role of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee is to advise Council on Audit, Governance, Risk Management and Business Improvement related matters, policy and strategies, within the Committee’s capabilities and working to an Audit Plan that encourages good governance, External and Internal Audit, and attention to Business Improvement, also providing independent, objective assurance about the effectiveness of Council’s risk mitigation controls.
 

Responsibilities of the Committee

The main responsibilities of the Committee, in broad categories, are oversight of:

• Compliance
• Risk Management
• Fraud Control
• Financial Management
• Governance
• Service Reviews
• Implementation of the strategic plan, delivery program and strategies
• Collection of performance measurement data

The Committee annually adopts a forward responsibility calendar and meeting plan that ensures coverage of these responsibility areas over a twelve-month period.

Council has been an early adopter of the Local Government (Planning & Governance) Amendment Act 2016 Section 428A requirements (due to commence in March 2022).
 

Meetings

The Committee meet five (5) times per year, with one of the meetings being dedicated to a review of the Financial Statements.

Minutes of the meetings are submitted to Council’s Finance & Governance Committee within 6 months of ARIC meeting. 
 

Internal Auditor

Council has a full-time qualified Chief Audit Executive (CAE), Juliette Hall, reporting administratively to the General Manager and functionally to the Committee. The CAE is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
 

Independent Members

Georges River Council’s ARIC has been established as an advisory committee of Council to provide independent assurance. Members have varied qualifications and experience which contribute to the effectiveness of the Committee.
 
The Committee comprising 3 independent members;

• Stephen Horne
• Cliff Haynes
• Michael Seery

Terms of Reference

The Committee operates under a Council-adopted Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Charter.

The Office of Local Government is currently reviewing the Terms of Reference relating to Audit Risk and Improvement Committees in NSW Local Government. A model Terms of Reference is being developed and is expected to be completed in 2021 for adoption by Council thereafter.
 

Annual Report 2020

The ARIC Annual Report 2020 provides a recent update on the Committees operations and activities.
 
Enquiries about the operations of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee may be directed to the General Manager or Chief Audit Executive.

ARIC Annual Report 2019
ARIC Annual Report 2018