The Audit Committee of Enfield Council is scheduled to convene on Monday, 2 November 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the audited financial statements for the 2025/26 financial year, alongside the Pension Fund accounts. Additionally, the committee is set to consider the draft Internal Audit plan for the third and fourth quarters of 2026-27 and receive a progress report on Internal Audit and Counter Fraud activities.

2025/26 Audited Statement of Accounts and Pension Fund Accounts

A significant portion of the meeting's agenda is dedicated to the review of the 2025/26 Audited Statement of Accounts and Pension Fund Accounts. A report from the External Auditors, Grant Thornton, is attached for the committee's consideration. This item is also listed as Item 11 in Agenda – Part 2, indicating it will be discussed in a session potentially excluding the press and public due to the likely disclosure of exempt information. The report pack details the Council's financial position, including comprehensive income and expenditure, movement in reserves, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for both the single entity and the group. It also outlines the Housing Revenue Account, Collection Fund, and the Pension Fund accounts. The external auditors' report is expected to provide an opinion on whether these statements give a true and fair view of the Council's financial position. The report pack highlights that the external auditors are expected to issue a disclaimed audit opinion for the Council's Statement of Accounts due to a lack of assurance over opening balances and unresolved issues from prior years. A qualified opinion is anticipated for the Pension Fund Accounts. The report also details the building back assurance work planned to address these issues, with the aim of returning to an unqualified opinion by the 2028/29 audit.

Value for Money Annual Report

The committee is scheduled to receive the Value for Money Annual Report from the Chief Finance Officer. This report will likely provide an assessment of the Council's arrangements for ensuring economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources. The supplementary agenda indicates that this item, listed as Item 5 in Part 1 and Item 12 in Part 2, will contain exempt information. This suggests the report may delve into specific financial or business affairs of the authority that are not for public disclosure. The report is expected to cover areas such as financial sustainability, governance, and the Council's efforts to improve economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its services.

Draft 2026-27 Q3 and Q4 Internal Audit Plan

A report from the Head of Internal Audit, Marion Cameron, outlines the draft Internal Audit Plan for the third and fourth quarters of the 2026-27 financial year. This plan is based on a risk-based approach, taking into account the Council's strategies, objectives, and risks, as well as feedback from executive directors and departmental management teams. The report details proposed audits across various departments, including Finance, Environment & Place, Schools, People, Housing, Regeneration & Planning, and the Chief Executive's office. The plan includes a mix of in-house and outsourced audits, with a priority rating assigned to each topic to ensure the most significant areas are covered. The report also provides an update on the progress of the 2026-27 Internal Audit Plan, noting completed audits and any changes to the original plan.

Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Progress Report

Marion Cameron, Head of Internal Audit, will also present a progress report on Internal Audit and Counter Fraud activities up to 30 September 2026. This report will detail the progress made against the 2026-27 Internal Audit Plan, including the number of assignments started and completed. It will also highlight any detected and prevented fraud savings for the period from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. The report will also mention upcoming updates from CIPFA regarding new position statements and assessment models for audit committees.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee will be asked to agree the minutes of the previous meeting, which was held on 8 September 2026.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the committee are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary, or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

Date of Future Meetings

The committee will note the dates of future meetings scheduled for Wednesday, 27 January 2027, and Wednesday, 17 March 2027.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

A resolution will be considered under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from Part 2 of the agenda. This is due to the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Act, relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons or the authority itself.

Internal Audit Actions

Item 10 in Part 2 of the agenda, Internal Audit Actions, is attached and contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. This suggests a discussion of specific actions arising from internal audits that may involve sensitive financial or business affairs.

2025/26 Audited Statement of Accounts and Pension Fund Accounts (Part 2)

Item 11 in Part 2 of the agenda, concerning the 2025/26 Audited Statement of Accounts and Pension Fund Accounts, also contains exempt information under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This mirrors Item 4 in Part 1, indicating a more detailed or sensitive discussion of these financial statements will take place in the private session.

Value for Money Annual Report (Part 2)

Item 12 in Part 2 of the agenda, the Value for Money Annual Report, is also listed as containing exempt information under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This aligns with Item 5 in Part 1, suggesting that the public version of the report will be supplemented by a more detailed, exempt discussion.