Summary of Report of the Audit Committee December 2009

There was an oral report from the retiring Chair of the Audit Committee, Stephen Brooker.  He said that the rule of law depends on how well lawyers are regulated and there is always a danger when you look back that this may seem either self serving or patronizing.  However, when he was appointed six years ago, risk assessment, management etc. were not fit for purpose and this had now been rectified.  The management teams were now fit for purpose and well equipped for the future and far better placed than they had been six years ago.  For the future there were all sorts of things that should be on the Council’s agenda and he would urge Council to bring back to the chamber the question of independent members of Council (lay members).  He felt that they would be helpful and this would meet a societal norm in legislatorial society.  As a Council we should reflect on this issue again, or someone else might.  The Chair of the Audit Committee was thanked for his six years of careful attention and hard work.