The Audit and Standards Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to discuss the council's Annual Governance Statement for 2025-26 and consider an amendment to the Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure. The meeting's agenda also included the approval of minutes from the previous meeting and a review of deputations, if any.

Annual Governance Statement 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to consider Brent Council's draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2025-26. This statement is a statutory requirement under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (as amended) and provides assurance on the effectiveness of the council's governance framework, including its systems of internal control, risk management, and organisational culture. The report indicated that the format and structure of the AGS had been refreshed to align with the CIPFA/SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework Addendum (2025). The AGS aims to provide a clear and transparent account of how the council's governance arrangements operated during 2025–26, how their effectiveness has been reviewed, and how the council intends to strengthen them further. It highlights key developments, achievements, and areas for improvement, alongside an assessment of governance effectiveness and any significant governance issues. The report also included an action plan for 2026-27 focused on continuous improvement.

The report detailed the council's governance framework, which includes its Constitution, the roles of statutory officers (Head of Paid Service, Chief Finance Officer, and Monitoring Officer), the Senior Leadership Team, the Cabinet, and Scrutiny Committees. It also outlined the role of Members, corporate values, the financial management framework, the performance management framework, the Brent Assurance Board, Internal Audit, the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee, and the governance and oversight of subsidiaries such as i4B Holdings Ltd and First Wave Housing.

Key governance highlights for 2025–26 were scheduled to be discussed, including advancements in place leadership and neighbourhood engagement, the Embrace Change Portfolio for driving transformation, strengthened equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) governance, and progress in financial management. The Housing & Tenant Satisfaction Improvement Programme, the Youth Strategy, the People Strategy, the Digital Roadmap, and AI Governance were also highlighted as areas of focus. Furthermore, the report was expected to cover Member induction and ongoing development, and senior leadership development.

The review of effectiveness section detailed the process for assessing the council's governance framework, drawing on Directorate Assurance Statements, the annual opinion of the Head of Internal Audit, and findings from external audit and inspectorates. Progress against prior-year actions from the 2024–25 Annual Governance Statement was to be reviewed, covering areas such as housing compliance, the corporate performance framework, the Procurement Improvement Programme, and leadership development. The report also included findings from the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge and Ofsted's focused visit to Children's Services. Internal Audit's opinion for 2025-26 indicated reasonable assurance over the adequacy and effectiveness of the council's overall framework of governance, risk management, and control, while identifying areas for improvement in assets and valuations, housing compliance, the procurement improvement plan, and cross-council ownership. External audit commentary was expected to cover financial sustainability, governance, and improving economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Risk management and performance management arrangements were also to be reviewed.

Significant governance issues identified for 2025–26 included housing compliance, the procurement improvement plan, and assets and valuations. An action plan for 2026-27 was to be presented to address these issues, alongside forward-looking priorities for embedding the Embrace Change Portfolio, strengthening financial resilience, and completing compliance and assurance improvements.

Annual Standards Report 2025 - Amendment to Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure

The committee was also scheduled to consider an amendment to the Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure. This amendment relates to the proposed extension of the normal deadline for carrying out an initial assessment of complaints to 15 working days. The report provided an update on Member conduct issues and the work of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee, the Audit and Standards Committee, and the Monitoring Officer during 2025. It also included quarterly reports on gifts and hospitality registered by Members and the status of Member training following the May 2026 elections.

The report detailed the committee's work during 2025, including discussions on the Monitoring Officer's Annual Report on Code of Conduct Complaints, the Council's response to government consultations on the standards regime, and updates on gifts and hospitality. It also noted the continued roles of Independent Co-opted Members and Independent Persons for Standards matters. A summary of ten complaints received under the Member Code of Conduct in 2025 was provided, outlining the nature of the allegations and their outcomes. The report recommended extending the timeframe for initial assessments from 10 to 15 working days due to the time-consuming nature of dealing with complaints. Members are required to register gifts and hospitality received in an official capacity worth an estimated value of at least £50. The report indicated regular declarations of gifts and hospitality during 2025, with a summary of declarations for Q3 and Q4 of 2025-26 included. Monitoring Officer Advice Notes (MOANs) issued during 2025 were also mentioned, along with an update on Member training attendance following the May 2026 elections.

The report sought the committee's recommendation to the Audit and Standards Committee to approve the extension of the deadline for initial assessments.