The Corporate Governance and Audit Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss planning decision making, internal audit, and the recruitment of a second independent member to the committee. The meeting will also include a review of the committee's work programme and member development plan.

Annual Assurance Report on Planning Decision Making and Enforcement Arrangements

The committee will receive the annual assurance report on planning decision making and enforcement arrangements. The report from the Chief Planning Officer, provides assurances that the council's arrangements for planning and enforcement are up to date and fit for purpose.

The report also refers to a peer review carried out by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) in June 2025, which aimed to enhance the planning and enforcement processes. The report pack states that West Yorkshire Police's Economic Crime Unit is conducting a complex corruption investigation, and that since November 2024, a small number of council employees involved in planning have been arrested, though no charges have been filed. The report notes that those individuals have been suspended as a neutral measure.

The report details the planning policy hierarchy and the underpinning planning procedures and guidance used to determine planning applications in Leeds.

The report also sets out numerous opportunities for democratic oversight of the development management and enforcement processes, including:

• Executive Member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
• Executive Member for Sustainable development and Infrastructure and Plans Panel Chairs meetings
• Plans Panel Chairs Briefings
• Plans Panels
• Executive Board
• Full Council
• Development Plan Panel
• Corporate Governance and Audit Committee
• Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, & Inclusive Growth)
• Enforcement Ward Member information
• Corporate Leadership Team

The report notes that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government's planning policies for England and how these should be applied.

The report also states that the service is committed to continuous improvement and several service improvements have been introduced in response to complaint trends, including:

New process for managing ongoing concerns and complaints to help officers manage prolonged or repetitive correspondence more effectively, ensuring that communication remains constructive and within scope

Internal Audit Update Report September 2025

The committee will receive an update report from the Head of Finance – Internal Audit, which provides a summary of internal audit work since the last update in June 2025. The report provides assurance that the internal control environment is operating as intended. The report also includes information relating to the monitoring of urgent decisions made between April and August 2025.

The report notes that the work of internal audit contributes to Leeds City Council achieving its key priorities and the Best City Ambition (now the Leeds Ambition).

The report pack includes an appendix detailing assurance and consulting activities, and another appendix on quality and performance.

The report states that the Senior Head of Internal Audit, Corporate Governance and Insurance must deliver an annual internal audit opinion and report that can be used by the organisation to inform its Annual Governance Statement.

The report also notes that the Global Internal Audit Standards in the Public Sector UK (GIAS) require the Chief Audit Executive to deliver an annual audit opinion and report that can be used by the council to inform its Annual Governance Statement.

Recruitment of a Second Independent Member to Committee – Update to Committee

The committee will receive an update report on the recruitment of a second independent member. The report outlines the current position with regard to the considerations over the recruitment of a second independent member as suggested by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

The report details a benchmarking exercise that was undertaken to compare the composition of audit committees throughout the West Yorkshire and Core Cities Local Authorities.

The report notes that the Committee's current independent member is due to complete their final term in this position in February 2029, and that succession planning requires early consideration to ensure continuity and avoid governance gaps.

Corporate Governance and Audit Committee Work Programme and Members Development Plan 2025-26

The committee will receive a report presenting the work programme for the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee for the 2025-26 municipal year. The report sets out future business for the committee's agenda, together with details of when items will be presented. The report also includes the Member Development Plan for 2025-26 to provide all members with core areas of knowledge in line with the guidance as detailed in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).