Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barnes, Bestwick, Greensmith and Strong.

Councillors C Pope, M Smith and S Smith attended as substitutes.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Chief Finance & Section 151 Officer

The Chief Finance Officer & Section 151introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing Members of the progress of the External Audit for the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts.

The External Auditor then summarised the report.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the External Audit Draft Annual Report attached at Appendix 1 as presented by Mazars.

2)    Note the recommendations set out in each section in the report.

Report of the Internal Audit Partner (BDO)

The Internal Audit Partner introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, summarising the outcome of internal audit activity completed by the BDO Internal Audit Team for the period October to December 2025.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the progress of the delivery against the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan, including the confidential Main Financial Systems Report which would be presented in a confidential session.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Deputy Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, seeking approval to recommend updates to the Risk Management Strategy to Cabinet for adoption.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Recommend to Cabinet, the adoption of the amended Risk Management Framework at Appendix 1 to this report.

Report of the Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer

The Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating members on the current level of assurance that could be provided against each corporate risk.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the current risk level and actions identified within the Corporate Risk Register.

None.