The Audit and Governance Committee of West Oxfordshire Council met on Wednesday 20 May 2026 to discuss its work programme for the upcoming civic year, appoint members to a Standards Sub-Committee, and elect a Chair and Vice-Chair. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the previous meeting's minutes and a discussion on the committee's work programme for 2026/27.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

The committee was scheduled to elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair for the civic year 2026/27.

Appointment of Standards Sub-Committee

A key item on the agenda was the appointment of a Standards Sub-Committee for the 2026/27 civic year. The report pack indicated a recommendation to appoint five members to this sub-committee, with the allocation of seats based on political proportionality: two Liberal Democrat members, two Conservative members, and one Labour member. The Standards Sub-Committee is responsible for determining allegations that members have failed to comply with their Code of Conduct. Members of this sub-committee are required to have undertaken specific standards training.

Audit and Governance Committee Work Programme for 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to formulate its work plan for the 2026/27 civic year. The report pack outlined the committee's responsibilities, which include monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of the council's governance arrangements, overseeing the audit function, annual accounts, and the work of internal auditors, as well as promoting high standards of conduct among members. The work programme details expected business for future meetings, including the Statement of Accounts, Internal Audit reports, Treasury Management updates, and the Annual Governance Statement.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee was due to review and approve the minutes from its previous meeting held on 19 March 2026. The minutes from that meeting indicated discussions on the External Audit Plan 2025/26, revised Financial Procedure Rules, Quarter 3 Treasury Management Performance, an update from the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit (CFEU), Internal Audit progress and plans, the Annual Governance Statement Action Plan, and the provisional member induction and training programme. The minutes also noted the approval of the Financial Procedure Rules March 2026 and the Internal Audit Plan 2026/27.

Date of Next Committee Meeting

The date for the subsequent Audit and Governance Committee meeting was scheduled for 25 June 2026.