Background

The Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (‘the Act’) established the Wales Audit Office (the WAO) as a corporate body responsible for:

• Providing resources for the exercise of the Auditor General for Wales’ (the Auditor General) functions, and
• Monitoring the exercise of the Auditor General’s functions.

Under section 19 of the Act the WAO may also provide administrative, technical or professional services to other public bodies by agreement.

When the WAO provides shared learning seminars, webinars and other events  to audited bodies, this is by agreement under section 19 of the Act.

Audit Wales is a trademark of the Wales Audit Office and is the umbrella identity of the Auditor General for Wales and the Wales Audit Office.

Attendance and Agreement

Staff of audited bodies, on behalf of their employing body, agree to receiving services provided by the WAO through their registration to attend an Audit Wales event, which refers to these Terms of Reference. In registering for an event, staff confirm that they are authorised to agree for the provision of service on behalf of their employer and are permitted to attend.

Staff of third sector organisations, charities and social enterprises or associations, and other interested persons, are also welcome to attend events where there is sufficient capacity.

We usually provide events at no or minimal cost to attendees.

We explain how we handle personal data provided by attendees and contributors in a fair processing notice which is made available prior to the event. Our general privacy information is available on the WAO website.

Purpose of Audit Wales Events

Events are designed to:

• facilitate the sharing of good practice examples and case studies;
• develop and apply learning from examples of good practice;
• Facilitate the development of supportive networking and collaboration across public sector bodies; and
• help public bodies to consider how to improve practices and effect change.

Events may be in the format of:

• Shared Learning Seminar, combining presentations from key speakers and practical, facilitated workshops. Seminars will usually be held at two locations, one in South Wales and one in North Wales.
• Webinar, involving a facilitated panel discussion and exploration of a specific topic with the opportunity for contributions and questions from the online audience.
• WAO Event, such as a conference for larger numbers of attendees, with presentations from key speakers and facilitated workshops and discussions.

Organisation of Events

Staff organise and facilitate events on behalf of the WAO, which can include conferences, engagement, or other meetings and events, and may be provided solely or in collaboration (or jointly) with other public bodies and/or public sector organisations.

We may consult external contributors in the scoping and development of events, and we may invite them to speak and take questions at an event.

Events are publicised on the WAO website, through its blog and Twitter feed to audited bodies whose staff can participate, suggest ideas and contribute to events.

Publicity and Social Media

Audit Wales has a blog and twitter account and will write about events in advance of the event to publicise it and generate interest. We may also invite contributors to write for a blog.

During events the communications team encourage attendees and online audiences to tweet questions, opinions and key messages and may share these through the GPX twitter account.