The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 24 March 2026 was set to cover a range of governance, standards, and audit-related items. Key discussions were expected to include the performance and management of council-owned companies, progress on the procurement strategy, and a review of the use of investigatory powers. The committee was also scheduled to consider annual reports on member conduct, learning and development, and internal and external audit plans.

Review of i4B Holdings Ltd and First Wave Housing Ltd

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the governance and oversight arrangements for two council-owned companies: i4B Holdings Ltd (i4B) and First Wave Housing (FWH). The report was expected to outline the mechanisms the council uses to monitor the performance, risk, and compliance of these entities, and highlight key governance developments from recent shareholder and guarantor meetings. i4B Holdings Ltd, established in November 2016, aims to acquire, let, and manage affordable housing for homeless families, currently owning 477 properties. First Wave Housing is a registered provider of social housing, wholly owned by Brent Council, with a stock of 216 units. The report was to detail the governance framework, oversight mechanisms, board composition, and risk registers for both companies. It was also to cover financial performance, including a phase 3 loan agreement for i4B, and business planning for 2026/27. The update from the shareholder and guarantor meeting on 6 February 2026 was to highlight operational performance challenges, including voids and rent collection, and discuss longer-term strategic directions for increasing stock.

Procurement Strategy Progress Review

An update was scheduled on the progress of the Procurement Improvement Programme (PIP) and the development of the Council's Procurement Strategy. This programme was established in response to a Procurement Peer Review conducted between January and April 2025, which identified areas for improvement in procurement processes, governance, contract management, and staff development. The review highlighted a need for a cultural reset towards a more proactive and commercial approach, clearer expectations between procurement and directorates, and improved governance through an enhanced Commissioning, Procurement and Contract Management Assurance Board. The Procurement Improvement Programme has established a vision for procurement: We will harness innovative and high-quality procurement to create opportunity, tackle inequality, drive sustainability and deliver the best possible value for Brent's communities. Progress updates were to cover staff development, strategy and policy (including the new Procurement Strategy 2026-2030 and Social Value Statement), directorate engagement, contract management, and operational excellence.

Review of the Use of RIPA Powers

The committee was scheduled to review the Council's use and conduct of surveillance techniques in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000. This report was to comply with the Council's annual review obligations as set out in its RIPA policy and procedures. The report was to detail the Council's use of covert surveillance, covert human intelligence sources (CHIS), and the acquisition of communications data, all in compliance with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It was noted that the Council is periodically inspected by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO). The report was to detail changes to RIPA policies reflecting organisational changes and confirm that for the current financial year, there had been zero RIPA Directed Surveillance or CHIS authorisations, with RIPA powers now predominantly used for trading standards controls and serious fraud investigations.

Annual Review of Member Learning & Development Programme and Members' Expenses

This report was to provide a summary of the Member Learning and Development (MLD) Programme since March 2025, alongside details on Members' Expenses and a review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor's Charity Appeal. The MLD programme is monitored quarterly by the cross-party Member Learning and Development Steering Group. The report was to detail attendance at various sessions, feedback received on the programme, and requests for future training. It was also to outline the expenses claimed by Members in 2025/26, totalling £11,141.34 for training and £8,666.47 for childcare cover. The financial and procedural rules for the Mayor's Charity Appeal, which had not changed in 2025/26, were also to be attached for reference.

Annual Standards and Governance Report for 2025

This report was to present the Monitoring Officer's Annual Report for 2025, providing an update on Member conduct issues and the work of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee (ASAC), the Audit and Standards Committee (ASC), and the Monitoring Officer. It was also to include quarterly reports on gifts and hospitality registered by Members. During 2025, the ASAC met seven times, with six of these discussing standards-related matters. The report was to detail the ten complaints received under the Member Code of Conduct in 2025, outlining their outcomes. A recommendation was to be made to extend the deadline for initial assessments of complaints from 10 to 15 working days. The report was also to detail gifts and hospitality registered by Members, with five declarations recorded for Q3 and Q4 of 2025-26.

Internal Audit Plan 2026-27 and Internal Audit Strategy 2024-27 Year 2 Review

The committee was to be presented with the proposed Internal Audit Plan for 2026-27, developed in alignment with Global Internal Audit Standards and based on a risk assessment of the Council's strategies, objectives, and risks. The plan was to be framed around an overarching theme of organisational resilience, with a pilot Integrated Assurance approach to be introduced. The report was also to include an assessment of the progress made at the end of Year 2 towards achieving the objectives outlined in the Internal Audit Strategy 2024-27. The strategy's four objectives focus on adopting an agile and enhanced risk-based approach, providing a robust programme of core assurance, offering high-quality insight and advice, and leading the implementation of an integrated assurance framework.

External Audit Update Report

A report from Grant Thornton, the Council's External Auditor, was scheduled to provide an update on external audit activity and relevant sector updates. The report was to confirm the completion of the 2024-25 financial statements audit on 25 February 2026, with the Audit Findings Report and Auditor's Annual Report to be presented. Planning for the 2025-26 audit had commenced, with an earlier backstop date for publishing local authority accounts being introduced by new legislation. The report was to highlight two significant weaknesses identified in the 2024-25 Value for Money (VFM) arrangements relating to financial sustainability and one in improving economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, stemming from the Regulator of Social Housing's findings on housing quality and safety.

Audit Findings (ISA 260) Report for the London Borough of Brent 2024-25

The committee was to receive, for information and reference, the final Audit Findings Report for 2024-25 from Grant Thornton. This report details observations arising from the audit that are significant to those charged with governance, concerning the financial reporting process and auditor independence. The report was to highlight significant difficulties and delays encountered during the audit, particularly concerning the valuation of property, plant and equipment (PPE), the implementation of IFRS 16 Leases, and prior period adjustments. It was also to detail audit adjustments, both adjusted and unadjusted, and provide an action plan for management. The report was to note that the formal conclusion of the audit and issuance of the audit certificate were pending confirmation from the National Audit Office regarding the Whole of Government Accounts.

Audit & Standards Advisory Committee Draft Work Programme 2026-27 & Dates of Future Meetings

The committee was to consider its provisional work programme for the 2026-27 Municipal Year. This included a list of scheduled future meetings: Monday 15 June 2026 (including a Member Learning & Development session), Monday 27 July 2026, Wednesday 23 September 2026, Monday 30 November 2026, Tuesday 2 February 2027, and Wednesday 24 March 2027. All meetings were scheduled to commence at 6 pm and be held in person at Brent Civic Centre.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee 2025-26

A verbal update was scheduled from the Chair regarding the approach to seeking members' views on the effectiveness of the Committee during the 2025-26 municipal year. This feedback was intended for inclusion in the Chair's Annual Report.