Gosport Borough Council
Councillors:
27
Wards:
14
Committees:
10
Meetings (2026):
59
Meetings (2025):
50
Meeting
Standards & Audit Sub Board - Gosport
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 22nd January 2026
6:00 PM
Thursday, 22nd January 2026
6:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 22nd January 2026
10:00 PM
Thursday, 22nd January 2026
10:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
22 Jan 2026
22 Jan 2026
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Kirsty Cox
Present, as expected
Deputy Chair
Councillor Jamie Hutchison
Apologies, sent representative
Chairman
Councillor Robert Hylands
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Philip Raffaelli CB FRCP
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for Non Attendance
Minutes
Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor Hutchison who was substituted by Councillor Westerby
2
Declarations of Interest
Minutes
There were none
3
Minutes of the Meeting of the Sub Board held on 13 November 2025
Attachments:
- Document Minutes Public Pack, 13/11/2025 Standards & Audit Sub Board 14 Jan 2026
Minutes
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2025 were signed as a true and correct record.
4
Deputations- Standing Order 3.4
(NOTE: The Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Tuesday 20 January. The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes)
Minutes
There were none.
5
Public Questions - Standing Order 3.5
(NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from Members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on 20 January 2026)
Minutes
There were none.
6
Internal Audit Progress Report 1st April to 15th December 2025
To update the sub board on the progress of the Audit Plan 2025/26, agreed (March 2025) to the members responsibility for governance.
Attachments:
- Document Audit Progress Covering Report January 2026 14 Jan 2026
- Document Appendix A Internal Audit Progress Report GBC January 2026 14 Jan 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) updating the sub board on the progress of the Audit Plan 2025/26, agreed (March 2025) to the members with responsibility for governance.
The CIA acknowledged an error in the numbers on page 3.
Members agreed that the table now included in the progress report helped then get a clearer picture of the progress made and the audits still outstanding or due follow up.
In answer to a Member’s question the CIA explained that the grants audit was removed as no grants fitting the criteria had been received in the timeframe for audit. He also explained that the Private Sector Housing follow up was Environmental Health at Fareham’s responsibility.
RESOLVED: That the Standards and Audit Sub Board noted the progress of the Audit Plan 2025/26 from 1st April 2025 to 15th December 2025 as set out in Appendix A.
The CIA acknowledged an error in the numbers on page 3.
Members agreed that the table now included in the progress report helped then get a clearer picture of the progress made and the audits still outstanding or due follow up.
In answer to a Member’s question the CIA explained that the grants audit was removed as no grants fitting the criteria had been received in the timeframe for audit. He also explained that the Private Sector Housing follow up was Environmental Health at Fareham’s responsibility.
RESOLVED: That the Standards and Audit Sub Board noted the progress of the Audit Plan 2025/26 from 1st April 2025 to 15th December 2025 as set out in Appendix A.
7
Strategic Risk Register Update
To present the strategic risk register, for noting, as at January 2026, in line with the Risk Management Policy.
Attachments:
- Document Risk Register Covering Report Jan 2026 14 Jan 2026
- Document Copy of Strategic Risk Register January 2026 14 Jan 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) presenting the strategic risk register for noting as at January 2026 in line with the Risk management Policy.
In introducing his report the CIA brought Members attention to the addition of the Major Project-Peoples Park to the register and the increased risk level of Social Housing Register Inspection (SHRI) and Loss of key Staff.
In answer to a Member’s question regarding the omission of the risk of cyber attack in the register, the CIA explained that if the area has not been subject to audit, then he is reliant on officers raising issues that should be included in the register. He agreed to follow up with the IT manager.
Members were advised that in regard to the increase in residual risk applied to the SHRI, senior officers had received reports from housing officers showing compliance. Self assessment work highlighted areas of concern, then the data brought out by the inspection set out a worse position than anticipated. The improvement plan being developed in consultation with the regulator will include timelines.
Members recognized that recruiting to the vacancy for the Section 151 Officer maybe complicated by the ongoing LGR discussions. With this specific vacancy having an effect on the matrix, Members suggested showing individual timelines where possible. Officers agreed to update on this at the next meeting.
Members were concerned that the register shows all risks as having a status of ongoing, and that the sub board could not see timelines or deadlines, which would help officers manage, and the sub board monitor progress.
In answer to a Member’s question, the CIA explained that the definition of residual is seeing what is left risk wise if mitigations are put in place.
Officers explained that in regard to the Major Incident risk, community resilience work is underway and ongoing and they would go back to the section for a more specific update. They would also bring back to the next meeting more information on the funding streams proposed for the Peoples Park.
A Member suggested that the resolution should be changed to reflect the discussion but no wording was proposed.
RESOLVED: That the members noted the strategic risk register as set out in Appendix A
In introducing his report the CIA brought Members attention to the addition of the Major Project-Peoples Park to the register and the increased risk level of Social Housing Register Inspection (SHRI) and Loss of key Staff.
In answer to a Member’s question regarding the omission of the risk of cyber attack in the register, the CIA explained that if the area has not been subject to audit, then he is reliant on officers raising issues that should be included in the register. He agreed to follow up with the IT manager.
Members were advised that in regard to the increase in residual risk applied to the SHRI, senior officers had received reports from housing officers showing compliance. Self assessment work highlighted areas of concern, then the data brought out by the inspection set out a worse position than anticipated. The improvement plan being developed in consultation with the regulator will include timelines.
Members recognized that recruiting to the vacancy for the Section 151 Officer maybe complicated by the ongoing LGR discussions. With this specific vacancy having an effect on the matrix, Members suggested showing individual timelines where possible. Officers agreed to update on this at the next meeting.
Members were concerned that the register shows all risks as having a status of ongoing, and that the sub board could not see timelines or deadlines, which would help officers manage, and the sub board monitor progress.
In answer to a Member’s question, the CIA explained that the definition of residual is seeing what is left risk wise if mitigations are put in place.
Officers explained that in regard to the Major Incident risk, community resilience work is underway and ongoing and they would go back to the section for a more specific update. They would also bring back to the next meeting more information on the funding streams proposed for the Peoples Park.
A Member suggested that the resolution should be changed to reflect the discussion but no wording was proposed.
RESOLVED: That the members noted the strategic risk register as set out in Appendix A
8
Any Other Items
Minutes
Previous Meetings
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