Andrew Charlwood

Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS)

Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) - Wednesday 27th November, 2024 7.00 pm

The Committee noted all of the reports that were presented, including the status of the council’s strategic and high level (15+) service risks, the work of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team, and the performance of the Adult Social Care Financial Sustainability Programme. The Committee agreed to refer an item on the affordability of Brent Cross to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) and noted that the external audit for the 2023/24 financial year would likely result in a disclaimer of audit opinion.

Licensing and General Purposes Committee

Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Thursday 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm

The Licensing and General Purposes Committee approved a revised Licensing Policy [^1] for the period 2025 to 2030, and recommended that it be adopted at the next full meeting of the council. The committee noted that public consultation had taken place and that 24 responses had been received. Concerns were raised about a perceived increase in male-dominated cafés, with members citing businesses such as the Toscana, Cafe 01, Tirana, and Pizreni on Vivian Avenue in Hendon. Some respondents believed these venues were intimidating to women, with one resident stating:

Licensing and General Purposes Committee

the Licensing and General Purposes Committee of Barnet Council

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 28th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The meeting considered a proposal for the extension of three contracts with Capita and the proposed new Fees and Charges for 2025/26. The committee requested further information from officers on business and Council tax collection rates and asked that an informal group be set up to look at the future of the Capita contracts. The committee also requested that officers investigate the possibility of tapering the proposed charge for arranging care for people above the capital and savings threshold.

Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS)

Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) - Monday 7th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The committee noted the Quarterly Risks Report (Q1 2024/25) and the Treasury Management Performance Update - Q1 2024/25. The committee also noted the 2023/24 - Corporate Complaints and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) Annual Report and the report on Complaints About Councillors April 2023 - March 2024. They noted the Internal Audit Exception Recommendations Report and Q1 Progress Report 9th May 2024 to 30th June 2024 and discussed the progress of the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 external audits. They noted the 2023/24 external audit progress report and discussed their forward work programme.