The Audit Committee of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council met on Wednesday 1 April 2026 to discuss the Audit Committee Action Plan, training needs, the draft Annual Report for 2024/2025, and the forward plan. The committee resolved to grant the Chair delegated authority to make necessary amendments to the Annual Report and agreed to extend the forward plan to include Local Government Reorganisation.

Audit Committee Action Plan Update

Officers provided a verbal update on the Audit Committee's action plan. The committee noted the update, with the Chair confirming that the Audit Committee would retain responsibility for signing off the final audited accounts.

Training Needs

Members discussed their training requirements for the committee. A request was made for all training to be recorded. Although training on final accounts had already been provided, members felt a repeat session would be beneficial. The committee noted these discussions.

Audit Committee Annual Report 2024/2025 - Draft

The committee discussed the draft annual report for 2024/2025, which was being presented to the council. In response to questions, officers confirmed that acronyms would be written out in full for clarity. Discussions also covered the audit backlog and the final steps for completing and auditing the accounts. It was agreed that appropriate wording would be developed to accurately reflect the current situation. Councillor REH Flemming proposed, and Councillor C Lambert seconded, a resolution that the Chair be given delegated authority to make the necessary amendments to the report to reflect the current position.

Audit Committee Forward Plan

The committee reviewed its forward plan and proposed extending it to incorporate Local Government Reorganisation and any future plans for the shadow authority. Following a suggestion from the external auditor, members also agreed to hold a closed session with both external and internal auditors, which would be added to the forward plan. The committee noted the plan.