Issue - meetings
Report from the Vice-Chair of the Audit Advisory Committee
Meeting: 20/11/2023 - Council (Item 13)
13 Report from the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee 
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To receive an update report from the Vice-Chair of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 37.
Additional documents:
Decision:
NOTED the update report provided by the Vice Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.
Eligible for Call-In: No
Minutes:
The Mayor invited Councillor Chan, as the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to introduce the report updating members on the work of the Committee.
In terms of issues highlighted, Councillor Chan drew members’ attention to the important role and work undertaken by the Committee in relation to monitoring and advising on various governance matters relating to audit activity, the Council’s finance, accounting and regulatory framework and members standards of conduct. As one of their key responsibilities, members were advised that the Committee had now signed off the Council’s Annual Statement of Accounts 2022–23 having reviewed and also sought assurance around the management responses on the External Audit findings and Enquiries of Management. Officers were thanked for their efforts relating to sign off of the Accounts, with Brent being only one of a small number of local authorities to have completed the process for 2022-23. The importance of this process was also recognised in terms of the wider financial challenges, risks and pressures being faced by local authorities as a result of the current economic climate and Government’s programme of austerity.
In highlighting the importance of other work also being undertaken in relation to issues such as delivery of the Internal Audit Plan and Counter Fraud activity, Councillor Chan concluded his update by reminding members of the Committee’s continued focus on the adequacy of the Council’s governance, risk and control arrangements in order to provide assurance and confidence on compliance and control of the Council’s key governance, financial management and accounting arrangements.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Chan for the update provided and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.