Governance
Devon Assurance Partnership is a shared service arrangement between Devon County Council, Torbay Council, Plymouth City Council, Mid Devon District Council, Torridge District Council, North Devon District Council and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority, constituted under section 101 of the 1975 Local Government Act, and later Section 20 of the Local Government Act 2000. The Partnership was formed on 1 April 2009 and delivers Internal Audit and Assurance services including Fraud and Risk management to the partners and a number of external clients.
The partnership has a management board made up of representatives from the partner members and a single Head of Partnership who fulfils the role of Chief Internal Auditor for each of the authorities.
The partnership is governed as a joint committee under Section 20 of the Local Government Act 2000. The joint committee has Members from each of the Councils, supported by a management board comprising the Directors of Finance (Section 151 Officers).
The Terms of Reference for the Partnership Committee and Management Board:
- Partnership Committee minutes
- Management Board Terms of Reference
- Joint Committee Terms of Reference
- Head of Internal Audit Partnership responsibilities
Our mission and values
Our mission is to be recognised as a leading provider of internal audit and assurance services to the public and not-for-profit sector. We will deliver high quality services that add value and are attuned to our customer needs. Devon Assurance Partnership will provide high quality independent and objective assurance and consulting services that add value to their customers and protect public resources.
Our drivers
The Partnership is committed to improving local government, public and third sector services, supporting and delivering continuous improvement, cost effective and value for money services, collaborative working and sharing good practice. We seek to promote these purposes and undertake our work in ways which will deliver sustainable and continuous improvement, paying special attention to the needs of local communities and our customers.
We strive to be recognised for the quality of the service we deliver, the expertise and support we offer and the opportunities provided for all our staff to contribute to the aims and objectives of our service and for self development and learning.
Our core values
Our core values underpin the way we work and seek to deliver our mission:
- Putting the customer first
We are here to achieve the best for our customers and the people of the communities in which they work, identifying and addressing their needs is at the heart of everything we do. In working with people we will listen; be fair, open and honest; and do what we say we will do.
- Valuing everyone
We will demonstrate respect, understanding and fairness to all and we are committed to tackling discrimination and exclusion, promoting social justice and good community relations and ensuring fair access to our services.
- Improving and innovating
We are a modern and improving organisation providing efficient, cost effective services in touch with customer needs. This means grasping opportunities for change and being innovative in finding the best solutions for the present and the future.
- Working together
We work in close partnership with our customers and other organisations to achieve our vision. Effective partnership working for us means building trust, developing a common understanding of the needs of our customers, agreeing joint priorities, taking collective action and pooling our resources where this will improve services.