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Audit and Governance Committee - Tuesday, 8 September 2026 - 6:00 pm
September 8, 2026 at 6:00 pm Audit and Governance Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Audit and Governance Committee of Hounslow Council met on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, to discuss the Corporate Risk Register, Treasury Management Annual Report, and the Draft Statement of Accounts. Key decisions made included the approval of the Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the Fraud Risk and Anti-Fraud Proactive plan. The committee also agreed to recommend to the Borough Council changes to the Council's Constitution regarding the Planning Committee Terms of Reference and Council and Committee Procedure Rules.
Quarterly Monitoring of Corporate Risk Register (Q1, 2026-27)
Sarah Filby, Director of Strategy, Performance & Commissioning, presented the quarterly monitoring report for the Corporate Risk Register (CRR) for the first quarter of 2026-27. The committee noted the amended CRR, which included one new corporate risk: Wider workforce risk impacting multiple services (PEOD0001)
. Eight risks were de-escalated from the CRR following a review to ensure focus on the Council's most significant strategic risks. These risks have been categorised into six strategic themes: Community Safety & Safeguarding; Financial Sustainability; Workforce & Organisational Resilience; Transformation & Strategic Delivery; Regulatory Compliance & Governance; and Climate, Infrastructure & Assets.
Treasury Management Annual Report 2025/26
Jake Bacchus, Executive Director of Finance and Resources, presented the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2025/26. The committee noted the report's content and associated appendices, resolving to refer it to the Borough Council. The report will also be presented to the Cabinet on 20 October 2026, with a subsequent recommendation to the Borough Council on 24 November 2026 to note the actual performance against prudential and treasury indicators for 2025/26.
Draft Statement of Accounts 2025/26 and External Audit Plan
Ben Lea, Head of Corporate Finance, presented the draft Statement of Accounts for 2025/26, along with the external audit plan. The committee noted the published draft Statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement, as well as the Audit Strategy Memorandum documents for the external audit of the Statement of Accounts submitted by Forvis Mazars LLP. The audit plan outlines the approach and focus areas for the external audit, including significant risks such as management override of controls, asset valuation, and the completeness of trade receivables and payables.
Chief Audit Executive Conclusions and Quarter 3, 4 - Audit & Investigation Performance Report
Michele Woodhatch, Deputy Head of Audit, and Mike Pinder, Head of Audit & Investigations, presented the performance report for quarters 3 and 4. The committee noted the performance of the Internal Audit and Investigation team and key issues arising during these quarters. Crucially, the committee approved the Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the Fraud Risk and Anti-Fraud Proactive plan for 2026. The Chief Audit Executive's conclusion for 2025/26 was that the Council's governance, risk management, and internal control arrangements are generally effective.
Changes to the Council's Constitution: Planning Committee Terms of Reference, Council and Committee Procedure Rules
Andrew Cox, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation, presented proposed changes to the Council's Constitution. The committee agreed to recommend to the Borough Council that it approve the revised Planning Committee Terms of Reference, Council Procedure Rules, and Committee Procedure Rules. These changes are largely driven by new statutory requirements for planning decision-making introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and implemented through the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. The committee also recommended the appointment of the Chair of Planning Committee as the Council's Nominated Member and the Director of Planning and Buildings as the Council's Nominated Officer under these new regulations.
Appointment of Independent Member to the Audit and Governance Committee
Jake Bacchus, Executive Director of Resources, presented the report on the appointment of an independent member. The committee unanimously recommended to the Borough Council the appointment of Lisa Nyon as an independent non-voting member of the Audit Committee. Ms Nyon will be eligible for an allowance of £2,000 per annum.
The committee also formally agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2026 and noted that there were no matters arising from those minutes. Apologies for absence, declarations of interest, or any other communications from Members were also noted as being absent.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Quarterly Monitoring of Corporate Risk Register (Q1, 2026-27)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee noted the amended Corporate Risk Register on 08 September 2026. The committee reviewed the register which included one new corporate risk and the de-escalation of eight risks. The report also detailed the categorisation of risks into six strategic themes.
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Matters arising from the minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee decided to approve recommendations on 08/09/2026. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
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Apologies for absence, declarations of interest or any other communication from Members
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee decided that there were no apologies for absence, declarations of interest, or other communications. This decision was made on 08 September 2026. The committee approved recommendations related to guidance on declaring interests.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2026 as an accurate record. The committee noted the use of RIPA by the Council from 1 January 2025 to date. They also noted the amended Corporate Risk register and the proposed Treasury Management Strategy and supporting annexes.
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Treasury Management Annual Report 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee decided to approve recommendations regarding the Treasury Management Annual Report 2025/26 on 08 September 2026. The committee noted the report's content and referred it to the Borough Council. The report will be presented to Cabinet on 20 October 2026 and then to the Borough Council on 24 November 2026.
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Draft Statement of Accounts 2025/26 and External Audit Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee decided to approve recommendations on 08/09/2026. The committee noted the published draft Statement of Accounts 2025/26 and the Audit Strategy Memorandum documents for the external audit.
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Urgent business
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee decided to approve recommendations on 08/09/2026. The Chair, Cllr Unsa Chaudri, thanked former members for their contributions.
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Chief Audit Executive Conclusions and Quarter 3, 4 - Audit & Investigation Performance Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee decided to note the performance of the Internal Audit and Investigation team and key issues arising during quarters 3 and 4, and to note the Chief Audit Executive’s conclusion for 2025/26. The committee also approved the Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the Fraud Risk and Anti-Fraud Proactive plan on 08 September 2026.
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Appointment of Independent Member to the Audit and Governance Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee recommended to Borough Council the appointment of Lisa Nyon as an independent non-voting member of the Audit Committee. This decision was made on 08 September 2026. Lisa Nyon will be eligible for an allowance of £2,000 per annum.
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Changes to the Council's Constitution: Planning Committee Terms of Reference, Council and Committee Procedure Rules
Recommendations ApprovedThe Audit and Governance Committee recommended to the Borough Council that it approve revised Planning Committee Terms of Reference, Council Procedure Rules, and Committee Procedure Rules on 8 September 2026. The committee also recommended appointing the Chair of the Planning Committee as the Council's Nominated Member.
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