Issue - meetings

Good governance is ultimately the responsibility of Council as the governing body of BCP Council.

This report provides assurance as to the way in which the Audit & Governance Committee has discharged its role to support Council in this responsibility. In addition, the report underpins the Annual Governance Statement, which is approved by the committee.

The attached report at Appendix A, Annual Report of the Audit & Governance Committee 2024/25, demonstrates how the committee has:

·       Fulfilled its terms of reference;

·       Complied with national guidance relating to audit committees; and

Contributed to strengthening risk management, internal control and governance arrangements in BCP Council.

The Chair presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'L' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Audit & Governance Committee Annual Report 2024/25 circulated at Appendix A provided assurance that the committee had effectively supported the Council in maintaining good governance. The report outlined how the committee fulfilled its terms of reference, complied with national audit committee guidance and contributed to strengthening risk management, internal control, and governance across the Council. It included a foreword, an overview of the committee’s activities and a forward-looking section, along with the committee’s terms of reference. The report underpinned the Annual Governance Statement and was recommended for approval ahead of its submission to Council in October 2025.

The Chair highlighted the use of an annual report to Council as a positive tool to keep all councillors informed of the committee’s work and enable further dialogue.

RESOLVED that that the Audit & Governance Committee approves the annual report prior to its submission to Council on 14 October 2025.

Voting: Unanimous