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Attendance at Board of Directors and Key Board Committee Meetings (Cont’d)

Board of Audit Clinical Resources Workforce Integrated Research,
Directors Committee Quality and Business and OD Governance Education &
Assurance Development Committee Innovation
Committee Committee Committee

2/4 Not a Not a 2/2 Not a Not a
Louise Dunn 0
Attendee Member Member Attendee Member Member

Mark 6/7 Not a Not a 4/7 3/3 Not a 1
Flannagan Attendee Member Member Attendee Member

Due to her role as lead for the Cheshire and Merseyside Five Year Forward View, the Board agreed that Louise
Shepherd would cease to be a formal member of the Trust’s assurance committees for the period in order to
accommodate this important national work. The Deputy Chief Executive represented Mrs Shepherd at these
meetings.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT • The adequacy of relevant policies, legality issues and

Codes of Conduct.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Non-Executive
Directors only, excluding the Trust Chair. The • The policies and procedures related to fraud and
corruption.
Committee was chaired by Steve Igoe throughout the
year, a Non-Executive Director with ‘recent relevant
The conduct of this remit is achieved firstly, through
financial experience’ which is best practice. The
the Committee being appropriately constituted, and
Director of Finance and Director of Corporate Affairs
together with the Operational Director of Finance are secondly by the Committee being effective in ensuring
internal accountability and the delivery of audit and
invited to attend and the Committee may request the
attendance of the Chief Executive and any other officer assurance services.
of the Trust to answer any points which may arise.
Attendance by members is set out above. Internal Audit

The Internal Audit service is provided by Mersey
The aim of the Audit Committee is to provide one
Internal Audit Agency (MIAA), an independent NHS
of the key means by which the Board of Directors
ensures effective internal control arrangements are organisation. The Director of Audit Opinion and
Annual Report for 2017/18 reports that MIAA have
in place. In addition, the Committee provides a form
demonstrated their compliance with NHS mandatory
of independent check upon the executive arm of the
Internal Audit Standards. Internal Audit provides an
Board. As defined within the NHS Audit Committee
independent and objective appraisal service embracing
Handbook (2014), the Committee has responsibilities
for the review of governance, risk management and two key areas:
internal control covering both clinical and non-clinical • The provision of an independent and objective
areas. In discharging these duties the Committee is opinion to the Accountable Officer, the Board and
required to review: the Audit Committee on the degree to which risk
management, control and governance support
• Internal financial control matters, such as
the achievement of the agreed objectives of the
safeguarding of assets, the maintenance of proper
accounting records and the reliability of financial organisation.
information. • The provision of an independent and objective
consultancy service specifically to help line
• Risks regarding disclosure statements (for example
management improve the organisation’s risk
the Annual Governance Statement) which are
management, control and governance arrangements.
supported by the Head of Audit Opinion and other
opinions provided
• The underlying assurances as detailed in the Board
Assurance Framework.

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 65 Annual Report & Accounts 2017/18