Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Virginia Wynn-Jones Email: virginia.wynn-jones@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor James Moyse – Councillor Renata Hamvas was present as reserve; and from Angela Mason-Bell, BDO.
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Confirmation of voting members
A representative of each political group will confirm the voting members of the committee. Minutes: The members present were confirmed as the voting members. |
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Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear days of the meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Disclosure of interests and dispensations
Members to declare any personal interests and dispensation in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 3 February 2026 Supporting documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of 3 February 2026 were agreed as a correct record. |
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Corporate Anti-Fraud Team and Special Investigations Team Year End Report 2025-26
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
Officers undertook to bring back further details on the corporate anti-fraud team and the special investigations team to the next meeting, including:
- Types of right to buy fraud and details of prosecutions, including information on Crown prosecution test - Information on the council’s actions on tenancy fraud, including the council’s overall strategy and approach, and potential risks, as well as information on Operation Silver - Information on the costs of operations versus the value of detecting fraud and recovering losses.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) and the Special Investigations Team (SIT) Year End Report 2025-26. |
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Southwark360: Six-month progress update on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Replacement programme
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
Officers undertook to bring back the benefits register for the Southwark360 update to the next meeting.
Officers undertook to include further information on key milestones, risks and mitigations, and confirmation of any material changes for the update to the next meeting.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee noted the six-month progress update on delivery of the Southwark360 Programme for replacement of the council’s Enterprise Resource Planning system, including progress since the previous report presented in November 2025. |
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External Audit Plan - Southwark Council & Pension Fund
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Audit, Governance and Standards committee:
a. Noted the Southwark Council External Audit plan attached at Appendix A of the report, setting out planned audit scope, risk assessment and approach for the year ending 31 March 2026.
b. Noted the External Audit plan for 2025-26 for the Pension Fund attached at Appendix B of the report. |
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Internal audit progress report for 2025-26
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
Officers undertook to invite the director of adult social care to the next meeting to discuss the outcomes of two internal audit reports.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the update reports, as attached at Appendix A, including appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report. |
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Internal Audit - Annual Report & Opinion 2025-26
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee note the update reports, as attached at Appendix A. |
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Internal Audit Risk-Based Plan, Strategy, Charter and Mandate
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee approved:
a) the Internal Audit Plan for 2026/27 (Appendix 1 of the report) b) the three-year Internal Audit Strategy (Appendix 3 of the report); and c) the Internal Audit Charter and Mandate (Appendix 4 of the report). |
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Draft Annual Governance Statement 2025-26
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
Officers undertook to ensure:
It was moved, seconded, and
RESOLVED:
That the audit, governance and standards committee:
1. note the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2025-26 as attached at Appendix A of the report.
2. agree that the Annual Governance Statement 2025-26 be updated to reflect the role of anchor institutions through the anchor network. |
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Compliance with CIPFA Financial Management code
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee note the report. |
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Formation of audit, governance and standards sub-committees for 2026-27
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the committee established a sub-committee to consider complaints of misconduct against elected councillors and co-opted members (the audit, governance and standards (standards) sub-committee).
2. That the committee appointed Councillors Colin Boyle, Esme Dobson and Graham Neale to form the audit, governance and standards (standards) sub-committee.
3. That the committee appointed Councillor Colin Boyle as chair of the sub-committee.
4. That the committee established a sub-committee to consider civic awards (the audit, governance and standards (civic awards) sub-committee).
5. That the committee appointed Councillors John Batteson, Esme Dobson, Pascale Mitchell, and Graham Neale to form the audit, governance and standards (civic awards) sub-committee.
6. That the committee appointed a chair of the sub-committee.
There was one contested position.
The position of chair of the audit, governance and standards (civic awards) sub-committee was put to the vote, and it was agreed that Councillor Pascale Mitchell be appointed chair of the audit, governance and standards (civic awards) sub-committee. |
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In year review of work programme 2026-27: July 2026
Supporting documents: Minutes: Officers introduced the report. Members had questions for the officers.
RESOLVED:
1. That the audit, governance and standards committee noted the proposed work programme for 2026-27, with the following amendments:
a. The inclusion in the scheduled report of the corporate anti-fraud team and special investigations team noted in item 6 b. The inclusion in the scheduled report on Southwark360 noted in item 7 c. The inclusion in September of the attendance of the director of adult social care noted in item 9 d. A new item on the governance structures and risk management around the changes to the budget setting process used for 2027-28, to be taken in September. |