AUDIT COMMITTEE
Minutes of Proceedings
WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2007
THE AUDIT OFFICE, BELFAST
Present:
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Samuel Gardiner MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
In attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
The meeting commenced in public session at 2.01 p.m.
1. Apologies
Dr Stephen Farry indicated that he would be arriving late.
2. Chairperson’s Business
There was no Chairperson’s Business.
3. Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 June 2007
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Mr Ramsey raised an issue in relation to Members receiving training on the scrutiny of audit work.
Agreed: The Clerk agreed to progress this matter and report back to the Committee.
The Committee noted the additional information received from the Audit Office in relation to estimates.
5. Approval of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Annual Salary
The Committee were briefed by Mr Keith Jagelman and Mr Michael Daly, Pay and Grading, DFP. A question and answer session ensued.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Audit Committee should now take on the power to make the annual increase in salary for the C & AG including retrospective payments.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would liaise with DFP officials to bring about the required changes.
Agreed: The DFP officials agreed to provide further information regarding Permanent Secretary’s pay award and the C & AG’s pay award for the last five years.
6. Northern Ireland Audit Office Corporate Plan
The Committee were briefed by Mr John Dowdall, Comptroller and Auditor General on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Corporate Plan. A question and answer session ensued.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Northern Ireland Audit Office Corporate Plan 2008/09 to 2010/11.
Agreed: The Northern Ireland Audit Office agreed to forward additional information requested by the Committee in relation to the Corporate Plan.
7. Privilege for Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports
The Committee were briefed by Mr John Dowdall, C &AG on how the issue of privilege for Audit Office reports could be addressed. A question and answer session ensued.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the position as set out by the C &AG on privilege for Audit Office Reports.
8. Any other business
The Chairperson reported that correspondence had been received from the Committee on Procedures in relation to the Audit Committee obtaining the power to call for persons and papers as there is currently no provision for this in Standing Orders.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Committee on Procedures to instigate an amendment to Standing Orders which would give the power to call for persons and papers to the Audit Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward proposals to the Clerk regarding particular areas of work of the Audit Office, which they would like to explore further at the next meeting.
9. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The date of the next meeting of the Audit Committee will be January 2008. An exact date will be forwarded in due course.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.19 p.m.
Dr Stephen Farry arrived at 3.20 p.m.
A tour of the Audit Office commenced at 3.30 p.m.