Subscribe to updates

You'll receive weekly summaries about Brent Council every week.

If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.

Audit and Standards Committee - Tuesday, 16 June 2026

June 16, 2026 Audit and Standards Committee View on council website

Chat with this meeting

Subscribe to our professional plan to ask questions about this meeting.

“Will the code of conduct complaints assessment extend?”

Subscribe to chat
AI Generated

Summary

Open Council Network is an independent organisation. We report on Brent and are not the council. About us

The Audit and Standards Committee of Brent Council is scheduled to consider the council's Annual Governance Statement for 2025-26 and a proposed amendment to the Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure. The meeting will also review the minutes of the previous meeting.

Annual Governance Statement 2025-26

The committee is scheduled to review and formally approve Brent Council's Annual Governance Statement for the 2025-26 financial year. This statement, which forms part of the council's Statement of Accounts, is a statutory requirement under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 20151. It provides an assurance on the effectiveness of the council's governance framework, including its systems of internal control, risk management, and organisational culture. The report details how the council has applied the seven core principles of good governance as outlined in the CIPFA/SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework2. It highlights key governance developments and improvements during the year, assesses the effectiveness of governance arrangements, identifies any significant governance issues, and outlines a forward-looking plan for continuous improvement. The statement also addresses actions identified in the previous year's Annual Governance Statement, such as strengthening housing compliance, developing the corporate performance framework, delivering the Procurement Improvement Programme, and advancing leadership development.

Amendment to Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure

A report is scheduled for discussion regarding an amendment to the Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure. This amendment, which has been considered by the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, proposes extending the normal deadline for carrying out an initial assessment of complaints to 15 working days. The report notes that the current procedure requires an initial assessment within 10 working days, but the volume and nature of complaints received in 2025 suggest that a more realistic timeframe is needed. The proposed change aims to allow for more thorough enquiries and consultations, particularly with an Independent Person, when assessing complaints.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee is also scheduled to approve the minutes from its previous meeting, held on Wednesday 3 December 2025.


  1. The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 are statutory instruments that set out the requirements for local authorities in England regarding the audit of accounts and the preparation of an Annual Governance Statement. 

  2. The CIPFA/SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework provides guidance and principles for local authorities to ensure they are governed effectively and ethically. 

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Mary Mitchell
Councillor Mary Mitchell Leader of the Green Party Group Green Party Willesden Green
Profile image for Councillor Trevor Blackman
Councillor Trevor Blackman Labour Stonebridge
Profile image for Councillor Daniel Brown
Councillor Daniel Brown Liberal Democrats Wembley Central
Profile image for Councillor Saqlain Choudry
Councillor Saqlain Choudry Labour Willesden Green
Profile image for Councillor Jasbinder Bajwa
Councillor Jasbinder Bajwa Labour Kingsbury
Profile image for Councillor Suresh Kansagra
Councillor Suresh Kansagra Leader of the Conservative Group Conservative Kenton

Topics

Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure CIPFA/SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework Brent Council Procurement Improvement Programme (PIP) Annual Governance Statement for 2025-26

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 16-Jun-2026 Audit and Standards Committee.pdf

Reports Pack

Public reports pack Tuesday 16-Jun-2026 Audit and Standards Committee.pdf

Additional Documents

05. Annual Governance Statement 2025-26.pdf
06. Annual Standards Report incl Gifts and Hospitality 16 06 26 updated.pdf
05a. Appendix 1 - Annual Governance Statement 2025-26.pdf
04. Audit Standards Committee minutes - 3 Dec 25.pdf
06a. Appendix A - Summary Member Code of Conduct Complaints Received during 2025.pdf
06b. Appendix B - Gifts and Hospitality - 16 06 2026.pdf