Keeping an eye on the council’s finances

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Audit Committee plays an important role in ensuring that the local authority operates within a sound governance framework, including examining the accuracy and completeness of the council’s accounts and ensuring the integrity of its financial statements.

Audit Committee chairman, Cllr Trevor Beatty and vice-chair, Cllr Noreen McClelland. INNT 32-599CON

In this week’s profile, Audit Committee Chairperson, Cllr Trevor Beatty (DUP) tells us more about the work of the committee.

Q: What does your committee do?

A: We meet once every quarter and have responsibility for the general oversight of and policy relating to: Internal audit strategy, planning and performance; risk management, anti-fraud and corruption measures, reports from external and internal auditors, review of financial statements and reports, approval of annual statement of accounts and annual governance statement.

Q: Does the committee meet every month?

A: The nature of the work of the committee means that it’s not necessary to meet on a monthly basis. At the outset of the new council in April, it was agreed that we would meet at least quarterly and more often if necessary. We’ve already met in April and June and another meeting is scheduled for September.

Q: Who are the councillors on the committee?

A: There are six elected members on the Audit Committee including myself as chairperson and Councillor Noreen McClelland (SDLP) as vice chairperson. The other members of the committee are: Cllr Tim Girvan (DUP); Cllr David Hollis (TUV); Cllr Michael Maguire (UUP) and Cllr Mervyn Rea (UUP).

Q: How do we get in touch with members of the committee?

A: Our telephone numbers and email addresses are on the council’s website - www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

The public are welcome to attend our meetings and a schedule of all the committee and full council meetings are also on the website.

Next week we will take a look at the role of the Policy and Governance Committee.