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Audit and Governance Committee - Thursday 25 September 2025 10.00 am
September 25, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
The Audit and Governance Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss information requests and complaints, audit findings, governance statements, and the committee's work programme. The meeting will cover the council's performance in handling complaints and information requests, along with internal and external audit reports. Also to be discussed is whether the council's Annual Governance Statement properly reflects the internal control environment the council is operating in.
Annual Review of Information Requests and Complaints
The committee is scheduled to be informed of the council's performance regarding complaints, data incidents, and information requests for the 2024/25 municipal year.
The Annual Review of the Council's Information Requests and Complaints 2024/25 report includes data on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests, and subject access requests. It notes that the council dealt with 789 FOI requests and 196 EIR requests, achieving a 96.4% response rate within statutory deadlines, exceeding the council's 95% target. The report also indicates that 189 requests were made by individuals asking for personal data about themselves under their right of subject access in data protection legislation, with a response rate of 64% within the statutory deadlines, below the 95% target.
The report also provides information on corporate complaints, excluding those related to children's social care, which are managed through a separate process. There were 560 corporate complaints processed, an increase from the previous year. The report also notes that the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) received 55 communications from Herefordshire members of the public, with 62% of complaints closed after initial enquiries.
The report also contains information on statutory children's complaints and representations, with 79 complaints made under the Children's Complaints and Representations Policy in 2024/2025, a 22.5% decrease from the previous year.
The Corporate Complaints and Compliments Annual Report 2024/2025, included as Appendix 1 to the main report, defines a complaint as:
An expression of dissatisfaction about the standard of service, actions or lack of action by Herefordshire Council, our staff or contractors.
The report notes that there were 560 complaints processed through the Corporate Complaints Policy, an increase from the 483 received the previous year.
The Children's Complaints and Representations Statutory Annual Report 2024/2025, included as Appendix 2 to the main report, defines a complaint as:
An expression of dissatisfaction or disquiet in relation to an individual child or young person, which requires a response.
The report notes that there were 79 complaints made under the Children's Complaints and Representations Policy in 2024/2025, with 4 of those being withdrawn, a 22.5% decrease from the previous year.
External Audit Findings Report
The committee is scheduled to consider the external audit findings report for the year ended 31 March 2025. The report pack indicates that the papers for this agenda item are to follow.
Annual Governance Statement
The committee is scheduled to consider whether the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024/25 properly reflects the internal control environment the council is operating in and the appropriateness of actions identified to improve. The report pack indicates that the papers for this agenda item are to follow.
Statement of Accounts
The committee is scheduled to approve the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts and associated letter of representation from Grant Thornton1, the external auditors. The report pack indicates that the papers for this agenda item are to follow.
External Auditor's Annual Report
The committee is scheduled to be presented with the External Auditor's Annual Report 2024/25 for information and discussion. The report pack indicates that the papers for this agenda item are to follow.
Internal Audit Plan
The committee is scheduled to review and agree the Internal Auditor's Plan for 2025/26. The report pack indicates that the papers for this agenda item are to follow.
Work Programme
The committee is scheduled to consider its work programme. The Work Programme document outlines the committee's planned activities, including regular reporting from internal and external auditors, and reviews of the council's constitution, risk management, and governance processes. The Work Programme Covering Report notes that the committee is asked to consider any adjustments to the programme.
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Grant Thornton UK LLP is a British member firm of Grant Thornton International, the world's seventh-largest professional services network of independent accounting and consulting member firms. ↩
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