Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee meeting on 14 July 2025.

The Audit, Governance and Standards Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including fraud prevention, internal audit findings, the implementation of prior audit recommendations, governance within the Resources Department, the council's draft statement of accounts, its annual governance report, compliance with financial management standards, an update on the Housing Revenue Account, and a review of the committee's work programme.

Here are the key items that were listed on the agenda:

• 2025-26 Q1 Report of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team and the Special Investigations Team:

  The committee was scheduled to note the 2025-26 Q1 report from the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) and the Special Investigations Team (SIT). The report summarised the teams' work in preventing, detecting, and responding to fraud, bribery, and corruption. It included data on corporate anti-fraud investigations, homelessness and housing waiting list reviews, Right to Buy (RTB) checks, and Blue Badge fraud. The report also covered housing tenancy counter-fraud activity and the National Fraud Initiative (NFI).

• Internal Audit Progress Report July 2025 and Final Annual Report and Statement of Assurance:

  The committee was scheduled to note update reports and the annual report and statement of assurance for 2024-25. The progress report included progress against the 2024-25 internal audit plan, work undertaken to date on the 2025-26 plan, and a summary of recommendations status. The annual report detailed the work undertaken by internal audit and provided an overview of the effectiveness of controls in place for the full year. Executive summaries of finalised reports were included, covering areas such as emergency planning and resilience, housing tenancy audits, IT cyber security controls, and payments to children and families.

• Progress on Implementation of Audit 2023-24 Recommendations:

  The committee was scheduled to note progress on implementing recommendations from external auditors, KPMG, in their annual reports for the 2023-24 statement of accounts and Pension Fund. The report included a list of recommendations with assigned officers and planned actions.

• Governance Review: Resources Department:

  The committee was scheduled to note the governance arrangements within the Resources Department. The report included a summary of the department's structure, senior leadership team, and key functions such as finance, planning and growth, technology and digital service, pension services, customer and exchequer services, treasury and pensions, and procurement. It also covered the Southwark 360 Programme, key statutory assurance roles, and collaborative working arrangements.

• Southwark Draft Unaudited Statement of Accounts 2024-25:

  The committee was scheduled to note the draft unaudited statement of accounts for 2024-25. The report included background information on the statement of accounts, key issues for consideration, and details of the main elements of the statement, such as the Narrative Report, Movement in Reserves Statement, Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, Housing Revenue Account, Collection Fund Account, and Pension Fund Account.

• Draft Annual Governance Report 2024-25:

  The committee was scheduled to note the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024-25. The report included background information on the AGS, key issues for consideration, and details of the council's governance framework, including the principles of good governance, key elements of the council's governance arrangements, and the review of effectiveness.

• Compliance with CIPFA Financial Management Code:

  The committee was scheduled to note a report on the council's compliance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Financial Management Code. The report included background information on the FM Code, key issues for consideration, and details of the council's compliance against each FM standard.

• Housing Revenue Account Update:

  The committee was scheduled to note a report providing an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The report included background information on the HRA, key issues for consideration, and details of the HRA outturn for 2024-25, the HRA Recovery Plan, and tenant and homeowner charges.

• In Year Review of Work Programme 2025-26: July 2025:

  The committee was scheduled to review its work programme for 2025-26. The report included background information on the committee's purpose and terms of reference, and a proposed work programme for the year.

The agenda also included standard items such as apologies for absence, confirmation of voting members, notification of urgent business, and disclosure of interests.