Audit & Risk Assurance Committee Member

Independent Members of the Advisory Panel

To assist the Ombudsman in establishing:

• the PSOW s strategic direction, aims and objectives and targets;
• key business policies;
• key employment strategies and policies.

To scrutinise and assure:

• the Three-Year Strategic Plan and the Annual Business Plan;
• the budget estimates submission to the Finance Committee of the Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament;
• high level budget allocation.

To monitor and review:

• operational performance and delivery;
• effectiveness of employment strategies and policies;
• diversity and equal opportunities, particularly in relation to the Equality Act 2010
• external communications strategies and stakeholder relations.

Independent Members of Audit & Risk Assurance Committee

To scrutinise and advise the Ombudsman, as Accounting Officer, on:

• the strategic processes for risk, control and governance and the assurances that underpin the Annual Governance Statement;
• the draft Strategic and Business plans, to ensure the economic, efficient and effective use of resources;
• the financial health of the organization, including the quarterly management accounts;
• the accounting policies, the annual accounts, including the process for preparation and management review of the accounts prior to submission for audit, and management s letter of representation to the external auditors;
• the planned activity and results of both internal and external audit;
• the adequacy of management responses to issues identified by audit activity, and the timely implementation of internal and external audit recommendations;
• assurances relating to the corporate governance requirements for the organisation, including deep dive scrutiny of key risks;
• proposals for tendering for Internal Audit services or for purchase of non-audit services from contractors who provide audit services;
• anti-fraud policies, whistle-blowing processes, and arrangements for special investigations;
• business continuity arrangements;
• Health & Safety arrangements.