Resources, Audit and Performance Committee

The Committee’s remit covers:

Budgets and financial matters
Human resource matters
Performance against targets and budgets
Monitoring complaints
Programmes for developing and improving the Authority’s performance
Monitoring and overseeing corporate governance arrangements.

The Committee:

a) considers and makes recommendations to the Authority on its overall financial strategy, including allocating resources and budget priorities.

b) oversees the preparation of detailed estimates of income and expenditure in accordance with the overall financial strategy and recommends approval of these budgets before the beginning of each financial year.

c) approves the Authority’s annual Grant bid to Defra.

d) considers and approves the annual Treasury Management Strategy.

e) monitors and manages the Authority’s financial performance in relation to agreed parameters; receives and reviews monthly and quarterly budgetary control reports from the Chief Finance Officer; and approves any virement and supplementary budget requests.

f) oversees the preparation of the Authority’s annual accounts for approval by the Authority.

g) receives the District Auditor’s annual Audit and Inspection letter.

The Committee:

a) ensures and oversees the effective and efficient use of the Authority’s human resources.

b) approves policies, guidelines and strategies on human resources and any industrial relations matters.

c) in so far as such matters are not delegated to officers, oversees activities relating to the employment of the Authority’s staff.

d) ensures the Authority properly undertakes its responsibilities for its staff and others relating to welfare, health and safety, working time directive and pensions provision.

e) participates as appropriate in any forum established for consultation with staff and their trade unions on human resourcing issues.

f) ensures the effective and efficient management of the Authority’s information technology systems and oversees the development and implementation of any related strategies.

g) monitors the acquisition, disposal and management of property, or any other assets and the granting or taking of leases or licences in general; acts on behalf of the Authority in relation to any planning applications it proposes to make.

The Committee:

a) monitors and reviews the Authority’s performance having regard to any development or Performance Improvement Plan, statutory or other performance indicators set out in the Corporate Plan, or agreed service standards and targets, and achievement of organisational, service, cross-cutting and policy objectives.

b) considers and makes recommendations on the Authority’s annual performance indicators.

c) considers reports on any Best Value Reviews of services and on any future national park performance assessment or analogous peer reviews.

d) receives and considers reports on customer survey/satisfaction.

e) receives and considers an annual report on the complaints procedure.

f) agrees any Performance Improvement Plans.

The Committee receives and considers any reports on the Authority’s corporate governance framework which do not fall under the remit of the Standards Committee.

a) The Committee appoints panels, temporary working, or task and finish groups relevant to the functions of the Committee and receives reports from them and may request the Authority to establish any relevant sub-committees.

b) The Human Resources Case Review Panel is established as a sub-committee with delegated authority to determine, on behalf of the Authority, individual cases of appeal under the Authority’s disciplinary and grievance procedures and such other matters relating to individual members of staff as require determination by the Authority.

It meets as and when circumstances require, and is made up of three members of the Committee (two local authority appointed members and one Secretary of State appointed member), as agreed by the Committee Chair.

The Committee conducts its business according to the terms of the Authority’s Standing Orders.