The Audit and Governance Committee of Newham Council scheduled a meeting to discuss a range of reports and updates, including the Best Value Response, internal audit progress, counter fraud measures, risk management, human resources, treasury management, and the annual complaints report. The committee also planned to discuss a report from EY (formerly Ernst & Young) regarding their withdrawal from the Housing Benefit Assurance Process, and a quarterly report on the Savings Delivery Programme.

Best Value Response

The committee was scheduled to receive a quarterly update on the Best Value Response, following a non-statutory Best Value Notice issued to Newham Council in May 2025 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The report, Delivering Best Value for Our Residents Quarterly Report, included several appendices:

• Delivering Best Value for Our Residents Plan
• Tier 2 and 3 staffing structures consultation for change
• Transforming Newham For the Future Update
• LGA Peer Review Action Plan Progress Update
• Newham Transformation and Improvement Board ToR v3.0 AGREED- Oct 2025[^2] [^2]: Terms of Reference, a document describing the purpose and structure of a committee or organisation.
• Newham Transformation Improvement Board Assessment

Internal Audit Update

The Audit and Governance Committee was scheduled to receive a quarterly update on internal audit activities.

Transformation and Improvement Board

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the work of the Transformation and Improvement Board.

Counter Fraud Progress

The committee was scheduled to discuss the quarterly counter fraud progress report. The previous meeting in July 2025 included a discussion of housing tenancy fraud, including a case of illegal sub-letting that lasted nine years, and resulted in the recovery of £68,000.

Risk Management and Risk Register

The committee was scheduled to receive a quarterly update on risk management, and the risk register.

Human Resources Update

The committee was scheduled to discuss a human resources update report. At the previous meeting, the committee noted that HR would be present at the meeting to provide an update on the Tell Jane project¹ and the impact of the workforce and culture board.

Treasury Management

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Treasury Management mid-year report for 2025/26, including the projected outturn, estimated prudential indicators², and treasury limit outturn. The report included appendices for prudential indicators and external credit loans and equity.

External Audit of Housing Benefit Assurance Process

The committee was scheduled to receive a report regarding EY's decision to withdraw from the Housing Benefit Assurance Process.

Savings Delivery Programme

The committee was scheduled to receive a quarterly report on the Savings Delivery Programme.

Annual Complaints Report

The committee was scheduled to note the council's performance in handling complaints during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The report included appendices for the Annual Complaints Report 2024-25, a letter from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman³, and a self-assessment.

Contract Waivers

The committee was scheduled to receive a quarterly report of contract waivers.

Year Ahead Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to discuss a draft of the Year Ahead Forward Plan.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee was expected to exclude the press and public from discussions on a housing investigation and senior salary queries, citing the disclosure of exempt information as described in the Local Government Act 1972. The senior salary queries related to head teachers receiving annual salaries in excess of £150,000.