The Audit Committee of Enfield Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to discuss a range of financial and governance matters. The meeting's agenda included updates on the external audit progress, reviews of auditors' reports, and considerations regarding the Council's debt repayment policies and assurance reviews.

External Audit 2025-2026 - Audit Progress Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from external auditors Grant Thornton regarding their progress on the 2025-2026 audit. This report, available as the External Audit 2025-2026 – Audit Progress Report, was intended to provide information on the audit to date, including the process for regaining assurance for prior year accounts balances. The report also included wider audit updates and sector insights. Grant Thornton's Paul Dossett and Ajay Jha were listed as key contacts for this report. The audit plan for the 2025/26 financial statements audit had commenced in June 2026. The report indicated that while a 'clean' audit opinion for the year would not be possible due to the local authority backstop, the auditors aimed to provide as much assurance as possible on in-year transactions and aspects of closing balances. The target date for the audit opinion was 15 November 2026.

6 Month Review of the External Auditors Report

A report from the Chief Finance Officer, Olga Bennet, was scheduled for discussion concerning a six-month review of the external auditors' report for 2024-25. This report, titled 6 Monthly Review of the External Auditors Report, was intended to update the committee on the Council's progress in responding to recommendations made in Grant Thornton's Value for Money report for 2024-25. The report detailed one statutory recommendation with two parts, four key recommendations, and three improvement recommendations, along with progress updates. The Council had agreed a debt strategy in response to the statutory recommendation, and external debt for the General Fund had reduced. Progress was also noted on the strategic review of Energetik, with a preferred option of a full sale supported by a Golden Share arrangement.

General Fund Debt Repayment (MRP) Judgements and Choices

The committee was set to consider a report from the Chief Finance Officer, Olga Bennet, detailing judgements and choices related to the Council's debt repayment policy, specifically the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP). This report, General Fund Debt Repayment (MRP) Judgements and Choices%20Judgements%20and%20Choices.pdf?T=10), aimed to provide the committee with visibility on the judgement-intensive MRP provisions, as recommended by CIPFA's Independent Assurance Review. The report highlighted key areas of judgement, including the choice between the annuity and equal instalments method for debt repayment, the timing of debt repayments for assets like Meridian Water, and the quantum of debt repayment for Energetik and Housing Gateway Limited that council taxpayers might bear. The report included tables comparing different MRP approaches and their financial implications, noting that the annuity method is standard practice among other London Boroughs.

CIPFA - Enfield Assurance Review

A report was scheduled from the Chief Finance Officer, Olga Bennet, presenting the CIPFA Enfield External Assurance Review Report. This review, commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), assessed the Council's financial management, governance, and service reform arrangements following applications for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS). The report, titled CIPFA – Enfield Assurance Review Report, concluded that Enfield Council's financial management arrangements show clear signs of improvement but remain fragile. It highlighted the need for continued transformation and strengthening of financial resilience, while noting that the Council had agreed a balanced budget for 2026-27 without further EFS. The review identified risks related to the council's high absolute debt position, reliance on capital receipts, and the need for disciplined execution of savings and transformation plans.

2025-26 Annual Audit Committee Report and Review of Effectiveness

Marion Cameron, Head of Internal Audit, was scheduled to present the 2025-26 Annual Audit Committee Report and Review of Effectiveness. This report aimed to fulfil the requirements of the CIPFA Audit Committees Position Statement 2022, detailing the committee's work, performance, and assessment of the Council's governance, risk management, and control arrangements. The report noted the committee's name change from General Purposes Committee to Audit Committee and highlighted achievements such as approving financial statements, reviewing the Corporate Risk Register, and overseeing internal and external audit matters. The effectiveness review identified areas for improvement, including strengthening annual reporting to Full Council and developing a member training plan.

Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Annual Report 2025-26

Marion Cameron, Head of Internal Audit, was also due to present the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Annual Report 2025-26. This report summarised the work undertaken by both teams, providing an opinion on the Council's governance, risk management, and control arrangements. The Head of Internal Audit's opinion was that Reasonable assurance was provided, consistent with the previous year. The report detailed the number of audits completed, assurance levels given, and the implementation of agreed actions. Key themes identified included weaknesses in procurement, contract management, governance oversight, financial control, performance monitoring, risk management, and cyber resilience. The Counter Fraud team reported significant achievements, including the identification of £2.7m in detected and prevented fraud and the recovery of 18 social housing properties.

Annual School Internal Audit Report 2025-26

Marion Cameron was also scheduled to present the Annual School Internal Audit Report 2025-26. This report summarised the findings from full scope internal audits conducted in four Enfield schools during the year. Two schools received a Reasonable assurance opinion, and two received a Limited assurance opinion. The report highlighted common areas for improvement, including governance, strategy and budget, procurement, cash and bank reconciliations, staffing, assets, information security, GDPR, fraud, and cyber security. The report also detailed the number of overdue actions from high and medium risk findings.

Annual Data Protection Report 2025-26

Andrea Kilby, Head of Legal Practice and Compliance, was due to present the Annual Data Protection Report 2025-26. This report provided an update on the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO), the work undertaken by the DPO for the Council and its schools in 2025-26, and the planned work for 2026-27. The report noted a reduction in personal data breaches compared to the previous year, with the majority attributed to unauthorised disclosure via email. It also detailed the number of breaches reported to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and highlighted the successful resolution of an Enforcement Notice related to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. The work plan for 2026-27 included a focus on policy updates, training, and promoting good data protection practices, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as welcome and apologies, declarations of interest, and the minutes of the previous meeting. A resolution was to be considered for the exclusion of the press and public for Part 2 of the agenda, which included the 6 Monthly Review of the Corporate Risk Register, due to the likely disclosure of exempt information. The date of future meetings was also to be noted.