The Audit & Governance Committee of Oxfordshire County Council convened on 4 June 2025, to discuss several key reports and updates. The agenda included updates on the statement of accounts, local audit reforms, risk management, and internal audit activities. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to review the annual governance statement and receive updates from Ernst & Young (E&Y), the council's external auditor.

External Audit Reports

The committee was scheduled to receive three reports from E&Y:

• The Oxfordshire County Council Provisional Audit Planning Report Year Ending 31 March 2025
• The Oxfordshire Pension Fund Provisional Audit Planning Report Year Ending 31 March 2025
• The Oxfordshire County Council Auditors Annual Report Year Ending 31 March 2024

These reports were intended to provide an overview of the planned audit approach and scope for the 2024/25 audit, as well as to communicate the auditor's findings and recommendations from the previous year's audit. The Oxfordshire County Council Auditors Annual Report for Year Ending 31 March 2024 EY noted that a disclaimed audit opinion had been issued.

Annual Governance Statement

The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2024/25, a document required of local authorities to be transparent about their compliance with good governance principles. The Annual Governance Statement 24-25 - Report to AG Cmtte 4 June 2025 report included an opinion that the council's governance arrangements in 2024/25 were adequate and provided a platform for achieving the council's priorities and challenges in 2025/26. The report also detailed the format of the AGS, a review of the effectiveness of the council's governance arrangements, and an action plan for the coming year.

Internal Audit Strategy and Plan

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2025/26. The Internal Audit Strategy and Plan 202526 FINAL report set out the key focus of audit activity for the year, including financial management, capital projects, major programmes, contract management, governance, IT security, and service strategic risks. The report also detailed the service's vision and objectives, audit planning methodology, and resourcing.

Local Audit Reform

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on Local Audit Reform following the national consultation that ran from December 2024 to January 2025. The Local Audit Reform Audit Consultation Outcome - 4 June 2025 report provided background on the issues that have impacted the audit and opinion on the council’s accounts from 2020/21 onwards, and explained the ongoing impact for the audit of the 2024/25 accounts and potentially future years. The report also noted the government's intention to establish a statutory and independent Local Audit Office (LAO).

Risk Management Update

The committee was scheduled to note the Risk Management Update. The Risk management update June 2025 report set out updates to Risk Management and an overview of the latest strategic risk register, which contains the council’s most significant risks. The strategic risk register is proactively managed by the Senior Leadership Team and reported into the Strategic Leadership Board as part of the council’s Business Management and Monitoring Reports.

Update on Statement of Accounts

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts. The Update on Statement of Accounts - 4 June 2025 report provided two updates:

• That Enterprise Oxfordshire has been a council-controlled entity since 1 April 2024, but because its financial activity has been assessed as not material, the council’s external auditor has advised that group accounts are not required for 2024/25.
• That the deadline for publishing the unaudited accounts for 2024/25 has been extended to 30 June 2025, and Oxfordshire County Council anticipates meeting this deadline, with the public inspection period scheduled from 1 July to 12 August.

Chief Internal Auditor's Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to consider and endorse the Chief Internal Auditor's Annual Report. The Annual Report of the Chief Internal Auditor 2425 FINAL summarised the outcome of the Internal Audit work in 2024/25 and provided an opinion that there is satisfactory assurance regarding Oxfordshire County Council's overall control environment and the arrangements for governance, risk management and control.

Internal Audit Charter

The committee was scheduled to consider the Internal Audit Charter 2025/26. The Internal Audit Charter 202526 FINAL report provided an update on the implementation of the new Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector and presented both the Internal Audit Charter and the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme for 2026/26.

Audit Working Group Update

The committee was scheduled to note the report of the Audit Working Group (AWG) meeting held on 26 March 2025. The Report of the 26 March 2025 AWG FINAL included an update on the implementation of management actions arising from the audit of Strategic Contract Management, as well as an update from the Counter Fraud Team.

Other Business

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the Audit & Governance Committee Work Programme and the date of the next meeting.

Additionally, the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Annual Report 202425 Wednesday 04-Jun-2025 13.00 Audit Gov.pdf was scheduled to be discussed.