Does Financial Regulations take precedence over Policies

Question

Similar to the previous post and possibly the same answer. Evidence suggests that members haven't looked at FR for a while if ever. The Internal Auditor checks to see if it has been reviewed (it hadn't in this case) but not to check if it has been updated. Many decisions are now being made that are not in line, including the surprise hiring of staff, contracts and trading. In your view is this a fuss or a concern? Any advice welcome.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Answer 1

The Standing Orders and Financial Regulations work in tandem to provide the legal framework for the council.  Both should be reviewed annually and most councils adopt the model documents provided by the NALC, which are themselves updated on a fairly regular basis as legislation changes.

You are right to be concerned about decisions being made outside the permitted framework and the internal auditor should be made aware if they have not already commented upon them.