Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
53
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
63
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Audit and Accounts Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 29th September 2025
6:30 PM
Monday, 29th September 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 29th September 2025
6:52 PM
Monday, 29th September 2025
6:52 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
29 Sep 2025
29 Sep 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Chair of the Resources Committee
Vice-Chair
Leader of the Conservative Group
Committee Member
Richard Harbord (Co Opted Member of the Audit and Accounts Committee)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Committee Member
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee
Chair
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Committee Member
Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Committee Member
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Reserve
Councillor David McIntyre
Not required
Reserve
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services and Standards Committee
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillors J Izett, S Kotecha and S Tom.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Urgent matters
To consider any items of business, other than those shown on this agenda and which, by reason of special circumstances to be stated at the meeting, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2025
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 18 Sep 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2025 were confirmed by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
5
Internal Audit Progress Report (July-September 2025)
Contact Officer: Richard Bevan
This report provides the Audit and Accounts Committee with details of the work carried out against the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan between July & September 2025.
This report provides the Audit and Accounts Committee with details of the work carried out against the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan between July & September 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Report 18 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 1 18 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 2 18 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Internal Audit Manager introduced the report which informed members of the Committee of the work completed by the Internal Audit Team during the period July-September 2025 and the current position with audit recommendations as of 12 September 2025.
The Internal Audit Manager informed the Committee that during this period, there were no audit reports that were issued with a Reasonable or Limited assurance rating.
Resolved: The Committee considers and note the contents of the report.
The Internal Audit Manager informed the Committee that during this period, there were no audit reports that were issued with a Reasonable or Limited assurance rating.
Resolved: The Committee considers and note the contents of the report.
6
Review of the Corporate Risk Register
Contact Officer: Paul Gundry
This report provides Audit and Accounts Committee with the updated status of the corporate risk register and change that have been made to the risk management policy as agreed by the Senior Leadership Team.
This report provides Audit and Accounts Committee with the updated status of the corporate risk register and change that have been made to the risk management policy as agreed by the Senior Leadership Team.
Attachments:
- Document Report 18 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 1 18 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 2 18 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 3 18 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 4 18 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance introduced the report, which presented the Audit and Accounts Committee with the status of the corporate risks identified within the corporate risk register, reviewed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) every six months before being presented to the Committee. The Committee were notified of an increase in risk score for RR7- Cyber, due to the changing context of cyber security threats.
The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance also introduced the revised Risk Management Policy, which was reviewed on a two-year basis, for the Committee’s approval.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Highlighted the importance of cyber security and questioned the action the council had undertaken to mitigate cyber threats. The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance informed the Committee that the Council’s IT team had recently undergone a restructure with dedicated roles related to cyber security. Commented that it was unrealistic that RR7- Cyber would not be marked as a high-risk score. The Committee were informed that audits related to cyber, and IT critical systems would imminently commence. Questioned if further discussions on risks related to cyber could take place to seek further reassurance. It was agreed that this would be reassessed once the internal audit related to cyber had been completed, and to potentially invite the responsible director to a future meeting dependent on the outcome of the audit. Sought further information on RR12- Local Government Reorganisation. The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance stated that an online link would be shared with the Committee. Asked if the risk score for RR11- Provision of Waste and Recycling Services, had changed from high to medium risk. The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance stated that the level of risk was expected to decrease following the introduction of food waste within the Council’s waste service.
Resolved: The Committee:
Considers the report and provides its comments. Approve the changes to the Risk Management Policy.
The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance also introduced the revised Risk Management Policy, which was reviewed on a two-year basis, for the Committee’s approval.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Highlighted the importance of cyber security and questioned the action the council had undertaken to mitigate cyber threats. The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance informed the Committee that the Council’s IT team had recently undergone a restructure with dedicated roles related to cyber security. Commented that it was unrealistic that RR7- Cyber would not be marked as a high-risk score. The Committee were informed that audits related to cyber, and IT critical systems would imminently commence. Questioned if further discussions on risks related to cyber could take place to seek further reassurance. It was agreed that this would be reassessed once the internal audit related to cyber had been completed, and to potentially invite the responsible director to a future meeting dependent on the outcome of the audit. Sought further information on RR12- Local Government Reorganisation. The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance stated that an online link would be shared with the Committee. Asked if the risk score for RR11- Provision of Waste and Recycling Services, had changed from high to medium risk. The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance stated that the level of risk was expected to decrease following the introduction of food waste within the Council’s waste service.
Resolved: The Committee:
Considers the report and provides its comments. Approve the changes to the Risk Management Policy.
7
Treasury Management 2025/26 Quarter 1 Report
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
This report shows the activity within the council’s treasury management function from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025.
This report shows the activity within the council’s treasury management function from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Report 18 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Chief Finance Officer introduced the report which showed the activity within the council’s treasury management function from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025.
It was observed the council’s return on its Internal Investments was above the benchmark average.
Resolved: The Committee note the Treasury Management 2025/26 Quarter 1 Report.
It was observed the council’s return on its Internal Investments was above the benchmark average.
Resolved: The Committee note the Treasury Management 2025/26 Quarter 1 Report.
8
Audit and Accounts work programme
The Committee is asked to note and review it’s work programme.
Attachments:
- Document Audit and Accounts Work Programme 18 Sep 2025
- Document Action Tracking Log 18 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Chair introduced the work programme and gave a brief overview of the items that would be included on the agenda for the upcoming meetings.
The Chair also introduced the list of actions from previous Committee meetings.
The meeting ended at 6:52pm.
Chair
The Chair also introduced the list of actions from previous Committee meetings.
The meeting ended at 6:52pm.
Chair
9
Exclusion of press and public
To consider whether, in view of the nature of the remaining items on the agenda, any of them are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt or confidential information within the terms of [] Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972
10
Confidential/exempt items for information
Previous Meetings
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