Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2026.

To consider any outstanding actions from previous meetings.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of public questions is midday on Friday 20 February 2026 [midday 3 clear working days before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday on Wednesday 25 February 2026 [midday the working day before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Thursday 12 February 2026 [10 working days before the meeting].

The attached report sets out the findings of the Council’s external auditor following their audit of the Council’s statement of accounts for 2024/25 as well as presenting the final version of the statement of accounts.

To receive a presentation on the Council’s approach to governance and risk management in relation to Artifical Intelligence (AI).

The report provides additional information requested from Audit & Governance Committee regarding the financial considerations for capital borrowing to fund a two-storey extension to Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre (2RM) to address the identified need for dedicated studio space in Christchurch.  The investment aims to enhance the centres health, fitness and cultural offer, increase membership and income whilst supporting community wellbeing and aligning with the Council’s corporate strategy.

NOTE: In relation to this item of business, the Committee is asked to consider the following resolution in relation to any discussion on exempt appendix 2, 3 and/or 5 to the report:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs such interest in disclosing the information.”

This report introduces the Council’s new Risk Management Policy.

The purpose of the review of the existing policy was to refresh and strengthen the council’s framework for the identification, measurement, management, monitoring and reporting on risk.

Whilst the policy principles have not been subject to significant change, in order to reflect the aspiration to continue to develop the risk management discipline, the new policy includes the plan to implement Enterprise Risk Management.

The new policy sets out how risks will be reported including future reporting to this Committee.

The new policy is included at Appendix 1.

Evolutionary changes to the Council’s Financial Regulations are summarised in this report and shown in red text throughout the Financial Regulations document which is shown at Appendix A.

No material changes have been made to Part A to F and H, and Appendices of Financial Regulations.

Some very minor changes have been made in the glossary of terms.

More substantial changes were made last year to reflect procurement regulations reform. This year, in some cases throughout Part G there has been a need to refine wording to make regulations more explicitly clear to clarify Financial Regulations requirements.

An annual review of the Council’s:

·       Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy,

·       Whistleblowing Policy,

·       Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers)

·       Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) & Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy

has taken place to ensure they are updated in line with best practice and legislation.

Some changes have been made to the Council’s Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy including an updated Chief Executive statement and added link to the Schools Financial Value Standards.

The Whistleblowing Policy has been updated with the inclusion of a formal officer decision record template to cover the course of action to be followed in accordance with Stage 3 (Initial response for a Formal Resolution). The link and summary guidance contained in the Academy Trust Handbook, in respect of required whistleblowing arrangements, has been updated.

Some changes have been made to the Council’s Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers) which include additional guidance on declaring ‘other employment’ and defining responsibilities of line managers in assessing declarations made by employees. A requirement for line managers to pass completed Form 1’s to the Service Director for their consideration has been added alongside the Service Director’s responsibility to determine if decisions made by line managers are appropriate. Some further general guidance on the declaration form completion process has also been added.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy has been updated to include links to associated BCP Council strategies and policies.

To receive a verbal update on the appointment of independent persons to the committee.