The Audit Committee of Stockport Council met on Wednesday 16 July 2025 to review a range of financial and governance reports. Key discussions were scheduled to focus on the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25, the Statement of Accounts for the same year, and progress reports from internal audit. The committee was also set to consider the external auditors' audit strategy memorandum for 2024/25.

Draft Annual Governance Statement 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024/25, presented by the Assistant Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer. This statement advises members on the council's governance matters for the year. The AGS includes an action plan detailing key governance challenges faced by the council, outlining how these have been addressed and how some may require further consideration. A new area of governance for this year was a review concerning the publication of officer decisions, in line with the council's constitution. The report indicated that the council's governance arrangements were considered effective and fit for purpose, with the committee asked to provide comments and approve the draft statement before its finalisation and signing by the Leader and Chief Executive.

Statement of Accounts 2024/25

A report from the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) was scheduled to provide an update on the progress of the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts. The draft Statement of Accounts had been approved by the Director of Finance on 26 June 2025 and published on the council's website, meeting the deadline set by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. The report also detailed the audit process being undertaken by the external auditors, Forvis Mazars LLP, with completion anticipated by the end of September 2025. The Audit Committee's role in approving the final Statement of Accounts following the completion of the external audit was also outlined.

Internal Audit Progress Report 1 2025/26

This report from the Director of Finance was intended to set out the progress made by internal audit against the Risk-Based Internal Audit Plan approved in March 2025. It was scheduled to inform members of the resources utilised by Internal Audit, Risk Services, and Civil Resilience during the reporting period, the activities undertaken, and the status of ongoing work.

Annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion & Report 2024/25

This report, also from the Director of Finance, was required by the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS). It was to contain an overall opinion on the council's control framework, detailing the audit work undertaken in the year from which the overall opinion was drawn. The report was expected to provide an assurance statement on the council's internal control environment, risk management processes, and corporate governance arrangements, concluding with an assurance level of substantial, moderate, limited, or no assurance.

Annual School Summary Report 2024/25

The Director of Finance was scheduled to present a report aiming to communicate key and recurring issues, risks, and subsequent recommendations arising from internal audits of schools conducted in 2024/25. The report was also intended to facilitate discussion between schools and cluster groups to encourage best practices in control and risk management within the school environment.

Corporate Risk Register Q1 Update - 2025/26

The committee was to receive an update on the Corporate Risk Register for the first quarter of 2025/26. This report would detail any changes to existing risks, the emergence of new risks, and the direction of travel for identified risks. Specific updates were expected on risks related to Finance, Cyber, School Buildings, Safeguarding, the Integrated Care Board, Property, and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

External Audit - Audit Strategy Memorandum 2024/25

This report from the external auditors, Mazars, was to provide the Audit Committee with the Audit Strategy Memorandum for 2024/25. This document typically outlines the audit approach, significant risks, areas of key judgement, and the audit team. It serves to facilitate discussion on the audit approach and the council's responsibilities.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, declarations of interest, and public question time.