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.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 18 July 2023 as a correct record and note the action log arising from previous meetings.

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

The purpose of this report is to update the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee on gifts and hospitality registered by Members, member training and a recent case highlighting action taken as a result of non-compliance with s85 Local Government Act.

To provide an update on i4B Holdings Ltd.’s and First Wave Housing Ltd.’s draft accounts, recent performance, risk register and recent audits.

7.1 First Wave Housing Ltd

7.1.1 Report from Chair of First Wave Housing Ltd

This report provides the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee (The Committee, ASAC) with an update on First Wave Housing Ltd.’s (FWH; The Company) draft accounts, recent performance, housing companies’ development strategy, risk register, and recent audits.

7.1.2 First Wave Housing Ltd Guarantor Report

7.2 I4B Holdings Ltd

7.2.1 Report from Chair of i4B Holdings Ltd

This report provides the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee (The Committee, ASAC) with an update on i4B Holdings Ltd.’s (i4B; The Company) draft accounts, recent performance, housing companies’ development strategy, risk register, and recent audits.

7.2.2 i4B Shareholder Report

This report provides the Committee with an update on the Council’s Strategic Risks as of September 2023. The update has been prepared in consultation with risk leads and the Council Management Team 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. The report also presents the Committee with a new Risk Management Strategy. The strategy seeks to outline the Council’s approach to risk management to support a robust and consistent process for managing risk and opportunities.

To provide an update on the progress of the Statement of Accounts and to review the Audit Findings Report for 2022/23. 

To receive a verbal update on progress on delivering Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the Council’s external auditors along with a summary of any emerging national issues and developments that may be relevant to Brent as a local authority.

To note the Committee’s Forward Plan and agree a draft agenda for the next meeting, which would be reviewed and finalised by the Chief Finance Officer, the Head of Audit and the Chair of the Committee one month after the date of the current meeting.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.