The Audit Committee of Lincolnshire County Council is scheduled to convene on Monday, 22 June 2026, to review a range of reports concerning the council's governance, risk management, and financial oversight. Key discussions are expected to focus on the council's overall risk profile, the findings of the internal audit service for the past financial year, and the strategic plans for both internal and external audits.

Combined Risk Report 2026

A significant item on the agenda is the Combined Risk Report 2026 ¹, presented by Kevin Lane, Team Leader - Insurance and Risk. This report is intended to provide an overview of Lincolnshire County Council's (LCC) risk profile, offering assurance from the Corporate Leadership Team regarding the organisation's ability to identify and manage key risks. The Chief Executive, Executive Directors, and Chief Fire Officer are scheduled to be present to address any questions concerning these risks. The report indicates that the corporate assurance rating has been assessed as adequate, a decrease from previous years, reflecting increasing pressures and uncertainties faced by local authorities. Key risk themes identified include Local Government Re-organisation, Increased Demand, Budget and Funding, and Organisational Stability.

Annual Audit Report & Opinion

Claire Goodenough, Head of Audit and Risk, will present the Annual Audit Report & Opinion for the financial year 2025-26. This report will share the Head of Internal Audit's opinion on the effectiveness of the council's governance, risk management, and control environments. The report concludes that the frameworks of governance, risk, and internal controls are adequate, with audit testing demonstrating that controls are working in practice. However, it notes that improvements in control design and application are needed to reduce reliance on employee diligence. Weaknesses in the control environment for maintained schools are highlighted as being outside the direct control of council officers due to delegations to Governing Bodies.

Internal Audit Strategy

Also presented by Claire Goodenough is the Internal Audit Strategy for the three-year period from 2026 to 2029. This strategy outlines the planned direction, priorities, and resource development for the internal audit function, confirming its alignment with the Global Internal Audit Standards (2024) and the CIPFA Application Note (2026). The strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness and delivery of the Corporate Assurance & Risk Management (CARM) functions, adapting to a changing risk environment and aligning with organisational objectives.

External Audit Plans

Amanda Reid, Strategic Finance Manager, will introduce the External Audit Plans for Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Pension Fund for 2025/26. These plans, prepared by external auditors KPMG, detail their proposed audit approaches, including initial risk assessments and planned audit procedures. The plans cover significant risks, audit risks, and the audit approach for both the council's main accounts and the Lincolnshire Pension Fund's accounts. The report notes that audit fees for 2025/26 are in line with the scale fees published by the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA).

Elected and Co-opted Members Register of Interests - Home Address

Will Bell, Monitoring Officer, will present a report on changes to legislation concerning the publication of elected and co-opted members' home addresses in their registers of interest. The Elected and Co-opted members Register of Interests - Home address report details that while members are still required to declare their home address, this information will no longer be automatically published unless members specifically request it. These changes are set to come into effect on 29 June 2026.

Strategic Risk - Deep Dive Review

Kevin Lane will also present a report on Strategic Risk - Deep Dive Review. This report provides the committee with an opportunity to select a specific risk or risk theme from the strategic risk register for a more in-depth review. The report suggests considering risks with limited or low assurance, or those showing a deteriorating direction of travel, such as Market Supply Children's or Local Government Re-organisation. Emerging themes from horizon scanning, such as Artificial Intelligence usage, property management, and strategic contract management, are also proposed as potential deep dive topics.

Audit Committee Work Programme

Claire Goodenough, Head of Audit and Risk Management, will present the Audit Committee Work Programme. This report invites the committee to review and potentially amend its work programme to ensure it covers the necessary assurance areas for approving the Annual Governance Statement. The attached work programme outlines scheduled assurance activities for upcoming meetings.