To consider the annual report, associated action plan, and detailed feedback on the Audit & Governance Committee’s performance and to endorse that the report represents a fair reflection of the year, prior to its submission to Council.

The Committee received a report on its Annual Report on how it had complied with the 2022 CIPFA Position Statement and discharged its responsibilities during 2024/25.  The Annual Report also included a self-assessment of the Committee’s performance.  The Annual Report was appended to the report and set out:

·       The Committee’s remit and membership;

·       Areas covered and work of the committee during 2024/25;

·       Training undertaken by members during the year;

·       A summary of an assessment of committee effectiveness carried out by Committee members and key officers with more detailed analysis provided in Appendix 2 to the report;

·       An update on progress since the initial assessment against the CIPFA guidance was carried out; and

·       Possible areas identified for improvement and forthcoming plans.

Members of the Committee and key officers had been invited to complete a questionnaire reviewing the Committee over the last municipal year. A summary of feedback was attached to the report at Appendix 2.  The findings included:

·       There was a high awareness among both councillors and officers of the committee’s role and purpose.

·       There was strong agreement that the committee adequately considered governance, internal control, and audit matters.  However, officers indicated a decline in attention to risk management and financial reporting.

·       Councillors reported improved escalation of issues, whilst officers observed a decline in the promptness and follow-up of actions.

·       There was a marked improvement in councillors’ awareness of training evaluations, with both groups perceiving that the committee had appropriate knowledge and skills.

·       There was still a lack of clarity as to whether private meetings occurred with either internal or external audit.

·       Both groups acknowledged the committee’s value in improving governance and risk management.

The report stated that Committee members had continued to ask questions and challenge officers where appropriate throughout the year and had requested the attendance of various officers to provide updates on areas of concern.

Some areas for improvement had been identified and these were outlined in section 7 of Appendix 1 to the report.  Generally, the Audit and Governance Committee complied with the 2022 CIPFA Position Statement, although it did not have any independent members on the Committee and had not reviewed the Annual Governance Statement during the year.

Resolved:     That the Audit and Governance Committee’s Annual Report be endorsed as a fair reflection of its performance over the 2024/25 Municipal Year for consideration by Council at its meeting on 14 October 2025.