The Audit Committee of Stockport Council was scheduled to meet on 17 September 2025 to discuss internal audit progress, the annual governance statement, and the statement of accounts. The meeting was also set to include the presentation of the Chair of Audit Committee's annual report, and the audit completion report from the external auditors, Mazars.

Draft Annual Governance Statement

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Assistant Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer, providing an update on the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS). The Final AGS 2024 to 2025 CLT included an action plan that focused on key governance challenges faced by the council in 2024/25. These challenges included:

• The delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
• The Stockport Integrated Care System/ Integrated Care Board.
• Transformation.
• Arms' length and subsidiary companies.

The AGS stated that the council's governance arrangements continued to be effective and fit for purpose. The Audit Committee were asked to consider the draft AGS, provide comments, and approve it before it was finalised and signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

2024/25 Audit Completion Report

The Audit Committee was scheduled to receive the Stockport MBC - Audit Completion Report 2024-25 from the external auditors, Mazars. The report summarised the audit findings and conclusions for the year ended 31 March 2025. According to the report, the audit work was still in progress, and a follow-up letter would be provided to the Audit Committee with an update on the outstanding matters.

Some of the outstanding audit matters included:

• Responses from the Council's valuer regarding queries raised on valuation sample testing for land and buildings, and investment properties.
• Responses from internal valuation experts regarding the valuation of Merseyway and Redrock Car Parks.
• Completion of work on the valuation of the Manchester Airport Land, which relies on work carried out by the Manchester City Council audit team.
• Sample evidence for lease sample testing.
• Review of the disclosures and response from the Pension Fund auditor regarding their audit of the Pension Fund assets.

The report stated that Mazars anticipated issuing an unqualified opinion, without modification, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of their remaining audit work. Mazars also anticipated having no significant weaknesses to report regarding the council's arrangements to secure economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources.

Annual Report of the Chair of the Audit Committee 2024/25

The Audit Committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Report of the Chair of the Audit Committee 2024-25. Councillor Sue Glithero, Chair of Audit Committee, stated in the report that it set out the ongoing pivotal role of the Audit Committee and summarised the work and achievements undertaken during 2024/25. The report aimed to demonstrate how the Audit Committee had fulfilled its terms of reference and how it was fully committed to helping improve the council's governance and control environments.

The report also highlighted the new Global Internal Audit Standards which took effect on 1 April 2025, and how they affect Stockport stakeholders. Councillor Sue Glithero noted that the Audit Committee would continue to support the organisation in delivering services to the community.

Internal Audit Progress Report 2

The Audit Committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) on the Internal Audit Progress Report 2. The report set out the progress made by internal audit against the Risk Based Internal Audit Plan approved by the Audit Committee in March 2025.

The report included the status of internal audit work, outcomes from final reports, counter fraud work and investigations, risk management arrangements, project advisory work, schools and other work, performance indicators, and civil resilience and business continuity.

According to the report, a self-assessment of the council's arrangements to comply with the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency legislation had been undertaken, and all fraud related policies were being refreshed.

The following investigations had been undertaken:

• Direct Payments – potential misuse of funds.
• Supporting Children – falsification of submitted records by a Provider.
• Whistleblowing allegation.

The Audit Committee was asked to note the contents of the progress report.

2024/25 Statement of Accounts Audit Update

The Audit Committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) providing an update on the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts. The draft Statement of Accounts 2024/25 was approved by the Director of Finance on 26 June 2025 and published on the council's website the following day. The external audit team started their audit work on the Statement of Accounts 2024/25 at the beginning of July 2025. The Audit Committee was asked to note the contents of the report.