Stephen Reid

Audit Committee - Thursday, 12th March, 2026 6.30 p.m.

The Audit Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 12 March 2026 to review the council's financial reporting, risk management, and internal audit plans. Key discussions included the external auditor's disclaimed opinion on the 2024/25 financial statements, significant weaknesses identified in governance and contract management, and the progress of the action plan to address these issues. The committee also reviewed the internal audit plan for 2026-27 and the corporate code of governance.

Audit Committee - Thursday, 29th January, 2026 6.30 p.m.

The Audit Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday, 29 January 2026, to review progress on the mobilisation of an action plan in response to external recommendations, discuss internal audit and anti-fraud reports, and examine the corporate risk register. Key decisions included noting the progress on the action plan, approving the internal audit and anti-fraud progress report, and agreeing to further scrutiny of specific risks within the corporate risk register and the Children's Services Directorate.

Audit Committee - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 6.30 p.m.

The Audit Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, to discuss the external auditor's interim value for money report and the Council's response to statutory recommendations. Key areas of discussion included financial reporting, internal controls, procurement, and the effectiveness of the internal audit function, alongside significant weaknesses identified in the Council's governance arrangements, particularly concerning social housing and the capacity of its senior leadership team.

Audit Committee - Monday, 28th July, 2025 6.30 p.m.

The Audit Committee convened to discuss key governance and financial matters, including the appointment of a vice-chair, the approval of the audit committee's terms of reference, and the review of the 2024-25 draft statement of accounts. Councillors also discussed the external auditor's plan, progress on statutory recommendations, the annual governance statement, and the updated whistleblowing policy.

Extraordinary, Audit Committee - Thursday, 13th March, 2025 6.45 p.m.

The Tower Hamlets Audit Committee convened to address statutory recommendations from the external auditor, EY, regarding the 2023-24 audit results, as required by the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014[^1]. The committee agreed to the recommendations relating to closing of accounts and internal controls, but requested a more detailed action plan concerning procurement and contract management. After this, the press and public were excluded from the meeting to discuss a report from PWC regarding a homecare contract and forensic audit.