Agenda


Audit and Governance Committee - Wednesday 17 June 2026 6.30 pm

Venue: 39 Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5FD

Contact: Patrick Davis, Democratic and Elections  Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221534

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitute Members

2.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 137 KB

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 18 March 2026 and 20 May 2026.

Additional documents:

4.

Chair's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chair.

5.

Requests to Address the Meeting

The Chair to report on any requests to address the meeting.

6.

Urgent Business

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

 

7.

Health & Safety Quarter 4 2025-26 pdf icon PDF 983 KB

Report of Assistant Director of Human Resources

 

Purpose of report

 

To provide the Audit and Governance Committee with the Council’s Health and Safety performance for Quarter 4 of 2025/26.

 

Recommendations

 

The Audit and Governance Committee resolves:

 

1.1    To review and note the content of the report

8.

Risk Monitoring Report Quarter 4 2025-26 pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Report of Head of Chief Executive’s Office

 

Purpose of report

 

To update the committee on how well the council is managing its Strategic Risks.

 

Recommendations

 

The Audit and Governance Committee resolves:

 

1.1   To note the Risk Monitoring Report for Quarter 4 2025-26

Additional documents:

9.

Head of Internal Audit Annual Report 2025-26 pdf icon PDF 299 KB

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

 

Purpose of report

 

This report includes the Head of Internal Audit annual report (appendix 1), which summarises internal audit work undertaken in 2025/26 and provides an opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the council’s framework of governance, risk management and control.

 

Recommendations

 

The Audit and Governance Committee resolves to:

 

1.1           Note the results of internal audit work undertaken, and the opinion of the Head of Internal Audit that Reasonable Assurance can be provided on the adequacy and effectiveness of the council’s framework of governance, risk management and internal control.

 

1.2           Note the update on Veritau’s quality assurance and development arrangements, including the confirmation that the internal audit service conforms to public sector internal auditing standards.

 

1.3           Note that one significant control weaknesses has been identified by internal audit during the year which is considered relevant to the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement, this being: the council’s utilities management arrangements (page 5-6, appendix 1).

 

Additional documents:

10.

Counter Fraud Annual Report 2025-26 pdf icon PDF 229 KB

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

 

Purpose of report

 

This report presents the counter fraud work undertaken in 2025/26.

 

Recommendations

 

The Audit and Governance Committee resolves to:

 

1.1   Note the counter fraud progress report.

 

Additional documents:

11.

Treasury Management Report - Outturn 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 583 KB

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

 

Purpose of report

 

To provide information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2025-26 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

 

To demonstrate that all treasury management activities undertaken during the reporting period complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy.

 

Recommendations

 

The Audit and Governance Committee resolves:

 

1.1   To note the contents of this Treasury Management Performance Report and recommend it be received by Council.

 

Additional documents:

12.

Review of Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 81 KB

To consider and review the Work Programme.