Audit Committee, Thu 2 Jul 2026
The council’s meeting page ↗ · Agenda · Minutes
Item by item
- 10. Apologies for absence
- 11. Declarations of interest
- 12. Minutes of the last meeting
- 13. Audit Committee Chair's Report
- 14. Annual Governance Statement
- Updated AGS Covering Report June 2026
It recommended: “That the Audit Committee approves the 2025/26 Annual Governance Statement for publication alongside the Statement of Accounts.”
The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED unanimously: That the Audit Committee approve the 2025/26 Annual Governance Statement for publication alongside the Statement of Accounts. Reason: To meet the Council’s legal requirement to undertake an annual review of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and publish an Annual Governance Statement, and to support continuous improvement in the Council’s governance and assurance framework.” minutes ↗
- 15. Grant Thornton External Audit Plan - 2025/26
- 1. HBC External Audit Plan 2025-26..docx r
It recommended: “To note the Grant Thornton External Audit Plan 2025/26 for the Council.”
The minutes record: Noted. “RESOLVED unanimously: That the Grant Thornton External Audit Plan 2025/26 for the Council be noted. Reason: To advise the Committee of the External Audit annual plan for the Council for the audit of the 2025/26 Statement of Accounts and advise on emerging national issues and developments that may be relevant to the Council.” minutes ↗
- 16. External Audit Recommendations Progress update
- 2. HBC External Audit Recommendaions - Update
It recommended: “Progress – update Report of: Kit Wheeler (Chief Finance Officer).”
The minutes record: Noted. “RESOLVED unanimously: To note the progress against the management actions to address the audit recommendations. Reason: To give assurance to the Committee that the external audit recommendations are being actively implemented and to give the Committee an opportunity to review any areas of concern.” minutes ↗
- 17. Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion including Audit Progress Report - Quarter 4 (Jan 2025 - Mar 2025)
- HBC Covering Report Annual Report and Opinion and Q4 Progress 2025-26
It recommended: “Note the work undertaken and the performance of Internal Audit in 2025/26 and the resultant annual opinion of the Chief Internal Auditor.” (and more)
The minutes record: Noted. “RESOLVED unanimously: T he work undertaken and the performance of Internal Audit in 2025/26 and the resultant annual opinion of the Chief Internal Auditor be noted. That it be noted that significant control issues raised by Internal Audit had been included in the Council's Annual Governance Statement. That the Council’s arrangements for internal audit proved effective during 2025/26. Reasons: i) To comply with the requirements set out in the Global Internal Audit Standards.” minutes ↗
- 18. Exclusion of the public
The minutes record: “RESOLVED: That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item of business because exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, was likely to be disclosed.”
- 19. Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion including Audit Progress Report - Quarter 4 Annex C (Part 2)