Agenda item

To receive the Annual Report jointly produced by the Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee and Audit and Standards Advisory Committee updating on the work of both Committees, in accordance with Standing Order 37.

The Mayor invited Councillor Chan, as Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee to introduce the joint annual report from both Committees, updating members on the work undertaken during the 2024-25 Municipal Year.

Prior to introducing the report Councillor Chan welcomed David Ewart to the meeting in his role as Independent Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and in terms of issues highlighted 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 as well as members standards of conduct.

Members were advised that the approach adopted towards the work undertaken had also included consideration of the Council’s risk management structure and strategic risk management process with an increasing focus not only on the effectiveness of governance processes relating to the first but also “second line” of defence in terms of the monitoring and reporting of information and data.  Other key areas of focus highlighted in terms of risk had included the ongoing nature of the financial challenges and pressures faced by the Council given the demand on services, with the need identified (as a recommendation by the External Auditor in their Value for Money Report) for a focus to be maintained on the Council’s overall financial resilience and sustainability in terms of future budget options and decisions.  In recognising these were pressures being experienced on a national and regional basis, and not unique to Brent, Councillor Chan advised the actions being taken in seeking to address and mitigate against the risks identified would continue to be monitored as part of the efforts being made to maintain a financially resilient, balanced and sustainable budget position and to ensure maximum value was being driven in the way services were being commissioned and procured supported by ongoing lobbying for reform of the local government finance system.

In concluding, Councillor Chan thanked David Ewart and the other members of the Committee along with officers for their support over the year and advised that both Committees were looking forward to continuing their work with members and other key stakeholders to ensure the necessary focus was maintained in relation to compliance and control of the Council’s key governance arrangements.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Chan for the update provided and it was RESOLVED to note the Joint Annual Report provided by the Chairs’ of the Audit & Standards and Audit & Standards Advisory Committees outlining the work undertaken by both Committee’s during 2024-25.

Prior to moving on the next item the Mayor advised that as the remaining time available for the meeting was shortly due to expire he intended to move the suspension of Standing Order 44 (Council Guillotine Procedure) in order to extend the time of the meeting by a period of 15 minutes to provide sufficient time for consideration of the remaining items on the agenda.  In accordance with Standing Order 42 (d) the procedural motion was put to the vote without further discussion and declared CARRIED.