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, 24th November 2025
6:30 PM
Monday, 24th November 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 24th November 2025
9:30 PM
Monday, 24th November 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
24 Nov 2025
24 Nov 2025
Location:
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Chair of the Resources Committee
Committee Member
Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Vice-Chair
Leader of the Conservative Group
Reserve
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Committee Member
Richard Harbord (Co Opted Member of the Audit and Accounts Committee)
Present, as expected
Chair
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Committee Member
Committee Member
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Reserve
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services and Standards Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee
Guest
Co-Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Property
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor J Tustain.
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 29 September 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 29 September 2025 14 Nov 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2025 were approved by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
5
EY Audit Results Report 2024/25- Year ended 31 March 2025
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
The purpose of this report is for the external auditors, EY, to present the audit results report to the committee for discussion.
The purpose of this report is for the external auditors, EY, to present the audit results report to the committee for discussion.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 1 14 Nov 2025
Minutes
The Council’s external auditors, EY, introduced the report and presented the audit results report for the year ended 31 March 2025 along with their findings related to the value for money conclusion.
It was confirmed that the external auditors worked to a timeline established by the National Audit Office in the previous year, as part of the process to return to a position of full assurance, and to address the national backlog of audit opinions for local government. The external auditors stated that a move from a disclaimed audit opinion to a qualified audit opinion was possible but could not be confirmed at the meeting as the external auditors had not finalised their position.
The external auditors also informed the Committee that adjustments had been made to property, plant and equipment related to land values at Milestones Museum, along with a correction to the accounting treatment of the Manydown D-Loan.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Stated that the possibility of moving from a disclaimed opinion to a qualified opinion was a positive development. Questioned the net impact of the audit differences on the statement of accounts. The Chief Finance Officer said the differences changed the accounts by about £500,000 and highlighted it was the council’s first year of preparing group accounts.
Resolved: The Committee receives the report from the External Auditors, EY, on the results of the audit of accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
It was confirmed that the external auditors worked to a timeline established by the National Audit Office in the previous year, as part of the process to return to a position of full assurance, and to address the national backlog of audit opinions for local government. The external auditors stated that a move from a disclaimed audit opinion to a qualified audit opinion was possible but could not be confirmed at the meeting as the external auditors had not finalised their position.
The external auditors also informed the Committee that adjustments had been made to property, plant and equipment related to land values at Milestones Museum, along with a correction to the accounting treatment of the Manydown D-Loan.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Stated that the possibility of moving from a disclaimed opinion to a qualified opinion was a positive development. Questioned the net impact of the audit differences on the statement of accounts. The Chief Finance Officer said the differences changed the accounts by about £500,000 and highlighted it was the council’s first year of preparing group accounts.
Resolved: The Committee receives the report from the External Auditors, EY, on the results of the audit of accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
6
Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 1 14 Nov 2025
Minutes
The Chief Finance Officer introduced the report which provided the Committee with the annual statement of accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Questioned the requirement for a downward adjustment to the Bell Road Daneshill East property valuation when an earlier error had been corrected. It was advised that the value in the unaudited statements had been increased by £0.1M, but it should have been a small reduction of £0.01M, resulting in a net adjustment of £0.11M. Requested further clarification on the council’s pension funds. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that the council’s pensions were shown as a £0.5m asset, compared to a £5.8 million deficit in the previous year. Acknowledged outstanding required work on the accounts and asked how material changes would be managed under the proposed delegation to the Chair and Chief Finance Officer if any arose. It was advised that significant changes were not expected, but the Committee would be informed if any occurred. It was agreed that authority be delegated, provided there were no material changes to the accounts upon completion of EY’s external audit.
Resolved: Authority is delegated to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee, subject to there being no material changes to the accounts presented, to approve the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 and that the Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee is authorised to subsequently sign the Statement of Responsibilities to that effect on behalf of the Committee.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Questioned the requirement for a downward adjustment to the Bell Road Daneshill East property valuation when an earlier error had been corrected. It was advised that the value in the unaudited statements had been increased by £0.1M, but it should have been a small reduction of £0.01M, resulting in a net adjustment of £0.11M. Requested further clarification on the council’s pension funds. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that the council’s pensions were shown as a £0.5m asset, compared to a £5.8 million deficit in the previous year. Acknowledged outstanding required work on the accounts and asked how material changes would be managed under the proposed delegation to the Chair and Chief Finance Officer if any arose. It was advised that significant changes were not expected, but the Committee would be informed if any occurred. It was agreed that authority be delegated, provided there were no material changes to the accounts upon completion of EY’s external audit.
Resolved: Authority is delegated to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee, subject to there being no material changes to the accounts presented, to approve the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 and that the Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee is authorised to subsequently sign the Statement of Responsibilities to that effect on behalf of the Committee.
7
Fraud Update- Protecting the Public Purse
Contact Officer: Paul Gundry
The purpose of this report is to inform members of the Audit and Accounts Committee of the work that has been carried out during 2025/26 in protecting the public purse.
The purpose of this report is to inform members of the Audit and Accounts Committee of the work that has been carried out during 2025/26 in protecting the public purse.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 1 14 Nov 2025
Minutes
The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance introduced the report, which informed the Committee of the work that had been carried out during 2025/26 in protecting the public purse.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Fraud Update- Protecting the Public Purse and notes the contents of the report.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Fraud Update- Protecting the Public Purse and notes the contents of the report.
8
Internal Audit Progress Report (October - November 2025)
Contact Officer: Richard Bevan
This report is to inform members of the Audit and Accounts Committee of the work completed by the Internal Audit Team during the period October – November 2025 and the current position with audit recommendations.
This report is to inform members of the Audit and Accounts Committee of the work completed by the Internal Audit Team during the period October – November 2025 and the current position with audit recommendations.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 1 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 2 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 3 14 Nov 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 October-November 2025, and the current position with audit recommendations.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Internal Audit Progress Report (October - November 2025) and notes the contents of the report.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Internal Audit Progress Report (October - November 2025) and notes the contents of the report.
9
Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid-Year Report
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
This report shows the activity within the council’s treasury management function from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.
This report shows the activity within the council’s treasury management function from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Nov 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 September 2025.
The Committee praised the Council’s performance on its treasury management investments and thanked the Council’s Finance Team for their hard work.
Resolved: The Committee note the Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid-Year Report.
The Committee praised the Council’s performance on its treasury management investments and thanked the Council’s Finance Team for their hard work.
Resolved: The Committee note the Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid-Year Report.
10
Annual Property Plan 2025-26 Half Yearly Monitoring
Contact Officer: Liz Suatt.
The purpose of this report is to outline the activity within the Council’s Property and Assets team in implementing the approved Annual Property Plan 2025-26 during the first half of the financial year until 30 September 2025.
The purpose of this report is to outline the activity within the Council’s Property and Assets team in implementing the approved Annual Property Plan 2025-26 during the first half of the financial year until 30 September 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 1 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 2 14 Nov 2025
- Document Appendix 3 14 Nov 2025
Minutes
The Investment Portfolio Lead and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property introduced the report, which outlined the activity in implementing the approved Annual Property Plan 2025-26 during the first half of the financial year until 30 September 2025.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Stated the council’s property portfolio was valued at £288 million and expressed the importance of active management of the portfolio. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property stated the council aimed to actively manage vacant units to return them to use. The Investment Portfolio Lead outlined the active management in relation to rent reviews and lease renewals to generate additional income. Asked for a progress update on the renewal of the council’s community centre leases. The Investment Portfolio Lead stated the council was on track to progress four leases within the year, in line with the Annual Property Plan Action Plan. Expressed concern that Vyne Meadow Car Park could be disposed of at less than market value and questioned the suitability of regeneration proposals. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property stated that the Vyne Meadow site had been reviewed to support affordable housing delivery, although challenges were acknowledged. Questioned whether the Council sought advice on active property management. The Investment Portfolio Lead confirmed that the Council worked closely with their external advisors, JLL.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Annual Property Plan 2025/26 Half-Yearly Monitoring and notes the contents of the report.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Stated the council’s property portfolio was valued at £288 million and expressed the importance of active management of the portfolio. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property stated the council aimed to actively manage vacant units to return them to use. The Investment Portfolio Lead outlined the active management in relation to rent reviews and lease renewals to generate additional income. Asked for a progress update on the renewal of the council’s community centre leases. The Investment Portfolio Lead stated the council was on track to progress four leases within the year, in line with the Annual Property Plan Action Plan. Expressed concern that Vyne Meadow Car Park could be disposed of at less than market value and questioned the suitability of regeneration proposals. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property stated that the Vyne Meadow site had been reviewed to support affordable housing delivery, although challenges were acknowledged. Questioned whether the Council sought advice on active property management. The Investment Portfolio Lead confirmed that the Council worked closely with their external advisors, JLL.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Annual Property Plan 2025/26 Half-Yearly Monitoring and notes the contents of the report.
11
Audit and Accounts work programme
The Committee is asked to note and review it’s work programme.
Attachments:
- Document Audit and Accounts Work Programme 14 Nov 2025
- Document Action Tracking Log 14 Nov 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 Chair also introduced the list of actions from previous Committee meetings.
Previous Meetings
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