The Audit and Governance Committee is scheduled to review several key financial and operational reports. The committee will receive updates on the external audit progress for the 2024/25 accounts, including reports on the main council accounts and the Pension Fund accounts, as well as a Value for Money progress report. Additionally, the committee will consider the Council's use of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) surveillance powers, review the Corporate Risk Register, and discuss the Treasury Management Strategy and Policy for 2026/27.

Use of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Surveillance

The committee is scheduled to review the Council's use of powers granted under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) between January 2025 and the present. The report outlines the Council's framework for RIPA, including its policy and procedures, officer responsibilities, and the role of the Audit and Governance Committee in monitoring its effective development and operation. It notes that no RIPA authorisations have been made or refused during the specified period. The report also details the external monitoring of RIPA compliance by the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO) and the training provided to relevant officers. The document includes the Council's Policy and Procedure for the use of Surveillance Activities in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) as an appendix.

Quarterly Monitoring of Corporate Risk Register

This report provides a quarterly review of the Corporate Risk Register (CRR) as at December 2025, covering the end of Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year. It states that no corporate risks have been added or removed since the previous quarter. The report details how corporate risks are being managed through current controls and mitigations, and identifies any further actions required. It also highlights changes in risk scores, with one increasing and three decreasing this quarter. The report notes an update to the risk previously titled Failure to respond to the SEND Area Review (Written Statement of Action) and deliver against the DfE's Safety Valve initiative (DSG Management Plan) to Failure to deliver against the DfE's Safety Valve initiative (DSG Management Plan) , reflecting the findings of an Ofsted inspection. The report also discusses the ongoing work to strengthen the alignment between the CRR and the Community Risk Register.

Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27

The committee is asked to note the proposed Treasury Management Strategy and supporting annexes for 2026/27, which will be presented to Cabinet and then the Borough Council in March 2026. The report summarises the Council's borrowing and investment position as of December 2025, noting a slight increase in investments and a projected increase in borrowing to support capital expenditure. It details the proposed revisions to the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy, which will be implemented in the 2025/26 financial year. The report also outlines the Council's borrowing strategy, annual investment strategy, and policy on the use of external service providers. Annexes provide economic updates, interest rate forecasts, approved countries for investment, and details on the requirements of the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice and the revised CIPFA Treasury Management Code and Prudential Code.

External Audit Progress Update

This report provides an update on the external audit of the Council's Statement of Accounts for the 2024/25 financial year, as submitted by Forvis Mazars LLP, the Council's external auditors. It notes that the draft statement of accounts were published by the statutory deadline, and no objections were received from residents. The report indicates an expected disclaimed opinion on the accounts, which follows from backstop arrangements introduced by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) Regulations 2024. It highlights material changes to the draft accounts that will be made in the final audited accounts, which are not expected to impact the Council's bottom line but will be reflected in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Updates on the audit of the Pension Fund accounts and a draft Value for Money report are also included. The report states that Forvis Mazars will continue to finalise their work and will report progress at the next Audit and Governance Committee meeting.

Audit & Investigation Performance Report (Q2)

This report provides a progress update on the work of the Audit & Investigations Shared Service for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Internal Audit and Investigations activity is delivered through a shared service arrangement with the London Borough of Ealing. The report details progress against the 2025/26 audit plan, including the status of various reviews across different council departments, with a focus on assurance levels. It also provides an update on reactive work, detailing the number of sanctions and the financial value of recovered funds, and proactive work, including outcomes from the National Fraud Initiative and the Fraud Hub. The report notes that there are no direct financial impacts on the Internal Audit and Investigation service budget, as all services are delivered within existing budgets. It also confirms that the Council's arrangements for internal audit and investigations are considered adequate.