81Local authorities to appoint [F1governance and] audit committeesW
(1)A local authority must appoint a committee [F2(a “governance and audit committee”)] to—
(a)review and scrutinise the authority's financial affairs,
(b)make reports and recommendations in relation to the authority's financial affairs,
(c)review and assess the risk management, internal control [F3, performance assessment] and corporate governance arrangements of the authority,
(d)make reports and recommendations to the authority on the adequacy and effectiveness of those arrangements,
[F4(da)review and assess the authority's ability to handle complaints effectively,
(db)make reports and recommendations in relation to the authority's ability to handle complaints effectively,]
(e)oversee the authority's internal and external audit arrangements, and
(f)review the financial statements prepared by the authority.
[F5(1A)See Chapter 1 of Part 6 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (performance and governance of principal councils) for further functions of governance and audit committees.]
(2)A local authority may confer on its [F6governance and] audit committee such other functions as the authority considers suitable to be exercised by such a committee.
(3)It is for [F7a governance and] audit committee to determine how to exercise its functions.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 81 heading inserted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 10 para. 3(c); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(h)
F2Words in s. 81(1) substituted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 115(2), 175(7); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(b)
F3Words in s. 81(1)(c) inserted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 115(3), 175(7); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(b)
F4S. 81(1)(da)(db) inserted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 115(4), 175(7); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(b)
F5S. 81(1A) inserted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 115(5), 175(7); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(b)
F6Words in s. 81(2) inserted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 10 para. 3(a); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(h)
F7Words in s. 81(3) substituted (1.4.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 10 para. 3(b); S.I. 2021/297, reg. 2(h)
Commencement Information
I1S. 81 in force at 30.4.2012 by S.I. 2012/1187, art. 2(1)(j)