The Audit Committee of Middlesbrough Council was scheduled to consider a range of reports concerning the council's financial governance, operational effectiveness, and risk management. Key discussions were scheduled to include the annual reports on CCTV operations, complaints handling, and the Audit Committee's own activities, alongside reports on payroll reconciliation and the external audit.

Annual CCTV Report 2025

The committee was scheduled to receive the Annual CCTV Report for 2025. This report was expected to provide an overview of the operation, governance, and compliance of the council's CCTV systems throughout the year. It was scheduled to detail the number of cameras in operation, their availability, and the number of arrests supported by CCTV footage. The report was also scheduled to address any data protection breaches, directed surveillance operations, and complaints received, along with a review of compliance against the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. Areas for future development, such as the renewal of ageing CCTV signage, were also scheduled to be highlighted.

Annual Complaints Report 2025/2026

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Annual Complaints Report for the period April 2025 to March 2026. This report was intended to provide an overview of the council's complaints process, including statistics, trends, and outcomes. It was also scheduled to detail how the council learns from complaints to improve service delivery and strengthen its complaint handling procedures. The report was expected to cover statutory complaints for Children's Services and Adult Social Care, highlighting common themes and lessons learned. Planned actions to further enhance complaints management over the next 12 months were also scheduled to be presented.

Draft Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2025/2026

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft Annual Report of the Audit Committee for the period September 2025 to August 2026. This report was intended to summarise the committee's work, including the assurance received, key issues discussed, and areas where further information or action was sought. It was also scheduled to highlight progress in strengthening the committee's effectiveness and to summarise the outcomes of its annual effectiveness review and agreed improvement actions. The report was proposed for approval before being submitted to Full Council.

Payroll Reconciliation Report

A report on the council's payroll reconciliation arrangements was scheduled to be presented. This was in response to a request from the committee for further information on the improvements implemented and the assurance that appropriate controls are in place. The report was expected to detail the reconciliation process between the HR establishment, payroll, and pay budgets, noting that while integrated systems are not currently in place, manual reconciliations have been enhanced and are now being conducted monthly across all directorates, exceeding the original recommendation for quarterly reviews.

External Audit Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to receive the External Audit Annual Report for Middlesbrough Council for the year ended 31 March 2026. This report was expected to outline the findings of the external audit, including the auditor's opinion on the financial statements, commentary on value for money arrangements, and other reporting responsibilities. The report was scheduled to detail any identified significant weaknesses in the council's arrangements for financial sustainability, governance, and improving economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Audit Committee Work Programme 2026/2027

The committee was scheduled to note the Audit Committee Work Programme for 2026/2027. This standard item typically outlines the planned agenda items and topics for the upcoming year, ensuring a structured approach to the committee's oversight responsibilities.