Issue - meetings

This report sets out the refreshed list of reports to be considered by the Audit & Governance Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year in order to enable it to fulfil its terms of reference.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Appendix A of the report set out the list of items to be considered by the Audit & Governance Committee for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year. It was confirmed that the factual, chronological briefing report to facilitate scoping of an investigation into Future Places (the initial report) would be added to the agenda for 20 March 2025. Appendix B set out in draft form those items anticipated to be considered during 2025/26. Members were invited to contact the Chair to request any ad hoc reports or presentations for the non-core meetings.

On Future Places, a Member sought clarification on what if any action was required regarding scoping suggestions previously submitted to the Chair and any further suggestions which might be made at this stage. Following discussion, it was concluded that such issues should be raised publicly when considering the initial report on 20 March. The Chair suggested that the initial report could contain links to relevant documents to avoid too lengthy a report but also ensure that all background information was available, particularly for the benefit of newer councillors and the independent persons. There was a discussion on how to ensure the report remained objective when prepared by officers and whether an identified lead was required. The report should be factual, without commentary, a ‘one stop shop’ of information already available to enable the committee to discuss and identify options for a potential way forward. The Chief Executive referred to the Monitoring Officer and her independent status in putting together such a report.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance confirmed that the Forward Plan 2024/25 would be updated to include the initial report to facilitate scoping on 20 March 2025. In response to a suggestion he advised that a channel would be set up on the Committee’s Teams site to facilitate communication once the report had been published. The Forward Plan 2025/26 would be updated to refer to the investigation, as confirmed in the minutes, with the date to be determined as the timescale would depend on what was agreed on 20 March.