The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to discuss a range of governance, audit, and standards-related matters. Key topics included the Annual Standards Report for 2025, the Internal Audit Annual Report for 2025-26, and the Annual Counter Fraud Report for the same period. The committee was also set to review the Chair's Annual Report, the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2025-26, and the Draft External Audit Plan for the year ending 31 March 2026, which included the Pension Fund.

Annual Standards Report for 2025

The committee was scheduled to receive the Monitoring Officer's Annual Report for 2025, providing an update on member conduct issues and the work undertaken by the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee (ASAC), the Audit and Standards Committee (ASC), and the Monitoring Officer. This report also included quarterly updates on gifts and hospitality registered by members and the status of member training following the May 2026 elections. A proposed amendment to the Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure, to extend the deadline for initial assessments to 15 working days, was also to be discussed.

Internal Audit Annual Report 2025-26

This report was intended to summarise the activities of Internal Audit for the financial year 2025-26. It was to provide an update on work completed since December 2025, including a summary of the delivery of the Internal Audit Plan, key findings from audit work, and the extent to which agreed management actions have been implemented. Crucially, the report was to include the annual audit opinion from the Head of Internal Audit on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council's framework for governance, risk management, and control, which supports the Council's Annual Governance Statement.

Annual Counter Fraud Report 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to review a summary of counter fraud activities undertaken in 2025-26, encompassing both proactive and reactive work across various fraud risks. This report was also to fulfil the requirements of the Local Government Transparency Code 2015, which mandates the publication of details regarding counter-fraud activities.

Chair's Annual Report 2025-26

The committee was to receive the annual report from the Chair of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee. This report was to cover the work of both the ASAC and the ASC for the municipal year 2025-26.

Annual Governance Statement 2025-26

This report was to present the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2025-26, as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. The AGS details the outcome of the annual review of the effectiveness of the Council's governance framework, including its system of internal control. The report was noted to have a refreshed format and structure for the year, aligned with the CIPFA/SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework Addendum (2025). The committee was asked to consider this draft before it was referred to the Audit and Standards Committee for formal approval.

Draft External Audit Plan 2025-26 (including the Pension Fund)

The committee was to receive and consider the Indicative External Audit Plans for the London Borough of Brent, including the Pension Fund, for the year ending 31 March 2025.

Audit & Standards Advisory Committee Forward Plan & Work Programme for 2026-27

The committee was scheduled to consider its work programme for the 2026-27 Municipal Year and note the dates for future meetings.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, deputations, and the minutes of the previous meeting and action log.