The Audit and Governance Committee is scheduled to review several key financial and operational reports. The meeting will include updates on the external audit of the council's accounts and pension fund, a review of the council's risk management framework, and a discussion on treasury management strategy.

Use of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Surveillance

The committee is scheduled to receive a review of the council's use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) between January 2025 and the present date. The report indicates that no RIPA authorisations have been made or refused during this period. The council's policy and procedure for the use of surveillance activities in accordance with RIPA, last reviewed in January 2022, will also be discussed, with a further review planned for this year. The report highlights that compliance with RIPA is monitored by the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO), with the council's last assessment by IPCO in December 2022.

Risk Management

The committee is set to review the quarterly monitoring of the Corporate Risk Register (CRR) as at December 2025. The report indicates that no corporate risks have been added or removed since the committee's last consideration of the CRR at the end of Quarter 2 2025/26. The CRR details how corporate risks are being managed through current controls and mitigations, with further actions identified where necessary. The report also notes that work is underway to strengthen the alignment between the CRR and the Community Risk Register, which is a multi-agency document listing potential emergencies in Hounslow.

Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27

A review of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy and supporting annexes for 2026/27 is scheduled. This includes the Borrowing Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Statement, and Prudential and Treasury Indicators. The report highlights that the council's investments slightly increased from £49.3m to £49.6m between March and December 2025, while borrowing is projected to increase from £608.1m to an estimated £688.3m by March 2026 to fund capital expenditure. The strategy also includes a revised policy for calculating the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP), which is the annual allowance made by the council to cover the repayment of debt over the life of assets funded by borrowing.

External Audit: Update to 2024/25 Accounts

The committee will receive updates on the external audit of the 2024/25 accounts. This includes the Audit Progress Report on the Council's Statement of Accounts, which notes an expected disclaimed opinion due to backstop arrangements and outstanding audit work. The report also details material changes to the draft accounts, such as reconciliations for the Fixed Assets Register and payroll. An update on the audit of the Council's Pension Fund Accounts for 2024/25 will also be presented, with a final review pending. Additionally, a draft Value for Money progress report for 2024/25 will be reviewed, identifying significant weaknesses in the council's finances as at March 2025, particularly concerning financial sustainability.

Progress Report on the Work of Internal Audit and Anti-Fraud (Q2)

A progress report on the work of the Internal Audit and Investigation team for Quarter 2 is scheduled for discussion. The report details the performance of the Audit & Investigations Shared Service, which is delivered in partnership with the London Borough of Ealing. It outlines progress against the 2025/26 audit plan, including the status of various reviews across different council departments, and provides an update on follow-ups for high-risk recommendations from previous years. The report also details proactive and reactive anti-fraud work, including outcomes from the National Fraud Initiative data match and the Fraud Hub, as well as investigations related to Ukrainian refugees. The financial impact on the Internal Audit and Investigation service budget is noted as having no impact, with services delivered within existing budgets.