Enfield Council Considers Renaming Committee to Audit Committee for Finance Focus

Enfield Council is considering renaming its General Purposes Committee to the Audit Committee, a move intended to sharpen the committee's focus on finance and risk management.

The proposed change, discussed at a meeting of the General Purposes Committee on Wednesday 22 October 2025, aligns with guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). Terry Osborne, Director of Law and Governance, presented a report recommending the name change and updated terms of reference to reflect CIPFA's recommendations. The proposed changes will be referred to Full Council for approval.

The move comes as councils face increasing pressure to ensure financial stability and manage risks effectively. A more focused Audit Committee, aligned with CIPFA guidance, is seen as a way to strengthen Enfield Council's governance and provide greater confidence in its financial arrangements.

According to the CIPFA Recommended Terms of reference for Audit Committees, the current terms of reference for the General Purposes Committee cover a broad range of audit and assurance functions, including internal and external audit, the Statement of Accounts, the AGS, risk and fraud. However, they also include functions such as procurement waivers, RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act), member training and support, and complaints and Ombudsman, which fall outside the range of functions recommended for audit committees by CIPFA. The institute recommends a narrower focus to enable more in-depth reviews of key areas.

The new terms of reference aim to narrow the committee's scope, allowing for more in-depth reviews of key areas. While electoral matters and procurement contracts will remain under consideration, functions such as RIPA, constitution, and member training and support would be reassigned to other bodies, as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. Specifically, RIPA will be transferred to the Assurance Board, constitution matters will be handled by the Full Council (following consultation with the whips and Group Leaders), and member training and support will be managed by the Head of Governance and Scrutiny (also following consultation with whips and Group Leaders).