Councillor David Brackenbury

The Audit and Governance Committee of North Northamptonshire Council noted the Internal Audit Progress Report and the Northamptonshire Children's Trust Internal Audit Report and Opinion for 2025/26 on 19 October 2026. The committee received updates on finalised audit assignments, including key findings and assurance opinions for Private Sector Housing, Anti-Social Behaviour, Flood Authority Statutory Duties, Inclusion, and Adult Safeguarding referrals. The committee also noted that 22 management actions have been completed since the last report.

The Audit and Governance Committee noted the key findings in the Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 waiver review on 19/10/2026. The committee approved recommendations to comply with statutory and transparency requirements relating to the Procurement Act 2023.

The Audit and Governance Committee noted the key findings of the review on the Staffing Approval Panel on 19 October 2026. Recommendations were approved to comply with audit recommendations from the Auditors Annual Report. The council has strengthened governance over commissioning of agency staff and consultants through the Staffing Approval Panel and OPUS managed service arrangement, with time-limited approvals and controlled procurement exemptions.

The Audit and Governance Committee noted the Interim Annual Audit Report 2025/26 on 19/10/2026. The committee approved recommendations regarding medium-term financial sustainability, the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit, procurement waivers, agency staffing controls, commissioning arrangements, Adult Social Care improvement, and contract management framework implementation.

The Planning Committee of North Northamptonshire Council decided to grant planning permission for a fascia sign at 81 Occupation Road, Corby on 14 October 2026. The decision was made subject to conditions including that the illumination must be static and non-intermittent, and the luminance must not exceed 200 candela per square metre.