The Audit and Risk Committee of Islington Council was scheduled to consider a range of financial and governance reports. Key items on the agenda included the interim report from Internal Audit, the Council Tax Base Report, and the draft budget for the upcoming financial year.

Draft Budget Report

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to the Draft Budget Report (post-settlement) . This report, spanning 160 pages, would have provided an overview of the council's financial plans for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31. It included appendices detailing previously agreed general fund savings, new savings proposals, and management actions for the General Fund over the Medium Term Financial Strategy. The agenda indicated that the committee would review the Covering Report - Budget Report 2026-27 and the Draft Budget Report - Executive .¹

Internal Audit Interim Report

The committee was also set to review the 25/26 Internal Audit Interim Report . This report, along with its appendices, would have provided an update on the progress of internal audits for the current financial year.

Council Tax Base Report and Forecast

Another key financial item scheduled for discussion was the Council Tax Base Report and CF Forecast . This would have involved reviewing the estimated tax base for the council and its financial forecasts. Supporting documents included the Islington Whole Area Taxbase 2026-27 and the Lloyd Square Taxbase 2026-27 .

Annual Governance Statement Mid-Year Review

The Annual Governance Statement Mid Year Review was scheduled to be presented to the committee. This review would have assessed the council's governance arrangements at the halfway point of the year, with a specific report titled MYR AGS report 27 Jan 26 ARC jc 12.12.25 .

Treasury Management Mid-Year Review

The committee was also due to examine the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review . This would have provided an update on the council's management of its financial investments and borrowing.

Year-End Reports and Auditor's Annual Report

The meeting agenda also included the Year End Report - Council and Pension Fund 2024-25 and the Auditors Annual Report 2024-25 . These reports would have presented the audited financial statements for the council and its pension fund for the previous financial year, along with the external auditors' findings. Supporting documents included the 2024-25 Audited SoA - Council Pension Fund , Appendix 3 - ISA260 - Pension Fund , Draft audited 202425 Statement of Accounts , Appendix 4 - Representation Letter DRAFT ILB , Appendix 6 - Audited 2024-25 AGS , Appendix 1 - ILB 24.25 AAR Draft 190126 , and 2024-25 Audited SoA - Annual rep .

Arsenal Polling District and Polling Places Review

A review of Arsenal Polling District and Polling Places was also on the agenda. This would have involved examining the arrangements for polling districts and places within the Arsenal ward. The relevant report was titled Committee Report Jan 2026 Arsenal Ward FINAL .

Monitoring Items

Finally, the committee was scheduled to review its Forward Plan and Action Sheet as monitoring items. The Draft Audit Committee Work Plan 2025-26 was also listed.