Agenda

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67.

4.1   To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 4 February 2025 as a correct record.

4.2   To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 24 February 2025 as a correct record.

(Agenda republished to include the attached minutes on 24 March 25)

4.3   To note the updated Action Log arising from previous meetings of the Committee.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

This report provides the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee with an update on the work of the Housing Companies, i4B Holdings Ltd (i4B) and First Wave Housing (FWH) to deliver against their business plans for 2024-25, which were agreed by the Council as Shareholder of i4B and Guarantor of FWH.

(Agenda republished to include the attached report on 19 March 25)

This report details the Council’s use and conduct of surveillance techniques in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 in compliance with the annual review obligations set out in Brent Council’s RIPA policy and procedures.

This presents the Monitoring Officer’s Annual Report to the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee (ASAC) for 2024. The report provides an update on Member conduct issues and the work of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee, the Audit and Standards Committee (ASC) and the Monitoring Officer during 2024 together with the quarterly report on gifts and hospitality registered by Members.

This report provides a summary of the Member Learning and Development Programme since the last report to the Committee in March 2024 along with details on Members Expenses and a review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

This report presents the proposed Internal Audit Plan for 2025-26.  The report also includes an assessment of the progress made at the end of Year 1 towards achieving the objectives outlined in the Internal Audit Strategy 2024-27, which was approved by Audit and Standards Advisory Committee in March 2024.

This report provides an update on the Council’s Strategic Risks as of March 2025. The update has been prepared in consultation with risk leads and Departmental Management Teams and summarises the risks that are considered to be of an impact and/or likelihood of materialising, and which may have an adverse effect on the achievement of the Council’s corporate objectives.

This report presents the final Audit Findings Report for 2023-24.

To receive a report from Grant Thornton (as the Council’s External Auditor) providing external audit progress and sector updates.

The purpose of this report is agree the approach for seeking member’s views on the effectiveness of the Committee during the current 2024-25 municipal year for inclusion in the Chairs’ Annual Report.

To consider the Committee’s provisional work programme for the 2025-26 Municipal Year and dates identified (as set out below) for future meetings:

Thursday 5 June 2025 (including Member Learning & Development session)

Wednesday 23 July 2025

Thursday 25 September 2025

Wednesday 3 December 2025

Tuesday 3 February 2026

Tuesday 24 March 2026

Please note all of the above meetings are scheduled to commence at 6pm and will be held in person at Brent Civic Centre.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Deputy Director Democratic Services or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.