Richard Harbord

Audit and Risk Committee Officer

Audit and Risk Committee - Wednesday, 18 February 2026 7:00 pm

The Audit and Risk Committee meeting on 18 February 2026 focused on the external audits of the Council's and Pension Fund's accounts for the 2024/25 and 2023/24 financial years. Grant Thornton, the external auditor, presented their findings, highlighting a disclaimer of opinion for both the Council and the Pension Fund for the 2023/24 financial year due to significant limitations in obtaining sufficient audit evidence, particularly concerning opening balances and historic issues. For the 2024/25 accounts, while audit fieldwork was substantially completed, a disclaimer of opinion is still anticipated for the Council due to outstanding procedures and historic issues, but a more positive outlook is noted for the Pension Fund, with the possibility of moving away from a disclaimer opinion in the next financial year.

Cabinet Officer

Cabinet - Monday, 16 February 2026 7:00 pm

The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Monday 16 February 2026 to discuss and approve a range of significant financial and strategic matters. Key decisions included the adoption of the Budget Framework for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2030/31, which involves a 4.99% Council Tax increase. The Cabinet also approved the Barking and Dagenham Housing Strategy for 2026-2031 and the business plans for Be First (Regeneration) Ltd, B&D Energy Ltd, and B&D Reside Group.

Audit and Risk Committee Officer

Audit and Risk Committee - Wednesday, 26 November 2025 7:00 pm

The Audit and Risk Committee met to discuss external audit reports from BDO and Grant Thornton (GT), consider management responses, and review the committee's work programme. The committee approved the audited Statement of Accounts for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the Pension Fund for the financial years 2019/20 to 2022/23, delegating authority to the Strategic Director of Resources to finalise the accounts with BDO for publication.

Audit and Risk Committee Officer

Audit and Risk Committee - Monday, 15 September 2025 7:00 pm

The Audit and Risk Committee met to discuss external and internal audits, the annual governance statement, and customer feedback. The committee raised concerns about the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, contract management, and the need for improved risk management and governance across the council.

Cabinet

Cabinet - Tuesday, 17 June 2025 7:00 pm

The Barking and Dagenham Council Cabinet met to discuss the provisional revenue and capital outturn for the 2024/25 financial year, the treasury management annual report, an agreement for the Adults Emergency Duty Team Service, the use of existing temporary accommodation stock, the social value in procurement impact report, and the debt management performance. The Cabinet agreed to a procurement waiver to allow the council to continue using temporary housing stock provided by Housing Britain, and approved entering into a Section 75 Agreement[^1] with the North East London Foundation NHS Trust (NELFT) for the provision of an Adults Emergency Duty Team service. The Cabinet also agreed to transfer the general fund underspend into the general fund reserve.