The Governance and Assurance Committee for Redbridge Council met on Monday 7 July 2025 to discuss several key reports and strategies. The agenda included the election of a chair and vice-chair, the annual report of the Monitoring Officer, and the review of the draft Annual Governance Statement. Also scheduled for discussion were the Internal Audit Charter, Mandate, Strategy, and proposed plan, as well as an update on Internal Audit and Counter Fraud activities.

Standards (Hearings) Sub-Committee Outcome Report Regarding Councillor Kabir Mahmud

The committee was scheduled to review the outcome of an investigation into a complaint against Councillor Kabir Mahmud. The investigation, conducted by Wilkin Chapman LLP, looked into allegations that Councillor Mahmud had breached the Member Code of Conduct through offensive social media posts.

The report detailed the complaint, which stated that Councillor Mahmud had posted extremely offensive and highly inflammatory comments made on social media, very anti-semitic, very pro Palestinian using foul language . The investigation considered relevant legislation and protocols, including the Localism Act 2011, the Council's Code of Conduct, and its Email and Internet Policy, and Social Media Protocol for Members.

The findings of the investigation concluded that Councillor Mahmud had breached the Code of Conduct by:

• Failing to treat others with respect
• Failing to promote equalities and unlawfully discriminating against persons
• Bringing his role and the Council into disrepute

The report included additional submissions from both the complainant and Councillor Mahmud, as well as a detailed reasoning for the conclusion that Councillor Mahmud had breached the Code of Conduct. The report also referenced the Council's public statements on the situation in Gaza, including a statement from Councillor Jas Athwal, Leader of the Council, expressing thoughts for Jewish neighbours in Redbridge.

Annual Report of the Monitoring Officer

The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Report of the Monitoring Officer for 2024/25. The Monitoring Officer is a statutory appointment under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989¹ and is responsible for promoting good governance and ensuring ethical behaviour. The report included updates on:

• Dispensations granted to members with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest²
• Complaints against members
• The register of members' interests and gifts and hospitality
• Disclosures/declarations of relationships
• Training on the Code of Conduct, safeguarding, and probity in planning and licensing

The report also covered constitutional changes, including updates to Council Standing Orders, Committee and Cabinet Combined Procedure Rules, Executive Decision Making Procedure Rules, and Staffing Sub-Committee Terms of Reference.

Draft Annual Governance Statement

The committee was scheduled to review the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25. The Annual Governance Statement is a public report on the extent to which the Council's governance arrangements are robustly designed and complied with, and is required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015³. The Governance and Assurance Committee has a role in reviewing and commenting on the draft statement before it is signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive Officer, Claire Hamilton. The statement addresses how the Council has monitored and evaluated the effectiveness of its governance arrangements, how issues from the previous year have been resolved, and any planned changes for the next year. The seven core governance principles from the CIPFA/SoLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework (2016) were scheduled to be addressed in the statement.

Internal Audit Charter, Mandate, Strategy, and Proposed Plan

The committee was scheduled to approve the proposed Internal Audit Plan for 2025/26, along with updated versions of the Internal Audit service's key supporting documents. These documents set out the service's ways of working, roles, responsibilities, and objectives in light of the new Global Internal Audit Standards. The CIPFA Code of Practice for the Governance of Internal Audit in UK Local Government, which provides an interpretation of Domain III appropriate for the sector, was also scheduled to be discussed.

Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on Internal Audit and Counter Fraud activity for Q1 2025/26. This included the outcomes of completed Internal Audit work and progress in implementing red and critical risk recommendations.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to note the forward plan reports for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.

Strategic Risk Register

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Strategic Risk Register for Quarter 1 2024/25, but the document was listed as to follow and was not included in the reports pack.