Portsmouth City Borough Council
Councillors:
42
Wards:
14
Committees:
37
Meetings (2026):
11
Meetings (2025):
117
Meeting
Governance & Audit & Standards Committee - Portsmouth City
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 17th September 2025
5:00 PM
Wednesday, 17th September 2025
5:00 PM
End:
Wednesday, 17th September 2025
9:00 PM
Wednesday, 17th September 2025
9:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
17 Sep 2025
17 Sep 2025
Location:
The Executive Meeting Room - Third Floor, The Guildhall, Portsmouth
The Executive Meeting Room - Third Floor, The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Deputy Group Leader
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
Minutes
There were no apologies for absence.
2
Declarations of Members' Interests
Minutes
Cllr Ian Holder declared a personal interest in minutes 37, 38, 39 and 40, the nature of the interesting being that his wife was a Personal Advisor working within the Children, Families and Education Directorate at Portsmouth City Council.
3
Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2025
RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2025 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
Attachments:
- Document GAS Minutes 09.07.25 09 Sep 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 July 2025 were agreed and signed as an accurate record.
4
Overview of Portsmouth City Council complaints, including Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Complaints 2024/2025
Purpose
To bring to the attention of the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee the Annual Review of Complaints by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) dated 21 May 2025 regarding complaints it has considered against Portsmouth City Council for the year 2024/25, and to provide an overall review of complaints received during this period.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee notes the report.
To bring to the attention of the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee the Annual Review of Complaints by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) dated 21 May 2025 regarding complaints it has considered against Portsmouth City Council for the year 2024/25, and to provide an overall review of complaints received during this period.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee notes the report.
Attachments:
- Document Complaint Update and LGSCO 2024_2025 FINAL 09 Sep 2025
Minutes
Christine Thomas, Corporate Customer Service Manager, introduced the report. The report detailed the Annual Review of Complaints by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) dated 21 May 2025 regarding complaints it had considered against Portsmouth City Council for the year 2024/25 and provided an overall review of complaints.
She explained that there had been 94 fewer complaints in 2024/25 compared with the previous year, with the combined total of Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints down to 559 from 653. The most significant reduction had been in the Housing, Neighbourhoods and Building Services directorate, which reflected recent changes to the council's obligations as a landlord to comply with the Social Housing Regulation Act. Complaints relating to the council's activities as a landlord were now addressed under the Local Authority Landlord Complaint Policy and had therefore not been included within the report.
The Local Government Ombudsman had investigated 7 complaints and had upheld 5. Policies and practices had been updated in light of these findings.
The number of complaints which had escalated to Stage 2 remained low, which demonstrated that the resolutions at Stage 1 had in most instances resolved the issues.
In response to questions, the Corporate Customer Service Manager confirmed that she would obtain data for 2023/24 with landlord complaints removed to allow a like for like comparison to be made. She would also confirm the percentage of Stage 2 complaints that had been received in respect of planning services.
RESOLVED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee NOTED the report.
She explained that there had been 94 fewer complaints in 2024/25 compared with the previous year, with the combined total of Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints down to 559 from 653. The most significant reduction had been in the Housing, Neighbourhoods and Building Services directorate, which reflected recent changes to the council's obligations as a landlord to comply with the Social Housing Regulation Act. Complaints relating to the council's activities as a landlord were now addressed under the Local Authority Landlord Complaint Policy and had therefore not been included within the report.
The Local Government Ombudsman had investigated 7 complaints and had upheld 5. Policies and practices had been updated in light of these findings.
The number of complaints which had escalated to Stage 2 remained low, which demonstrated that the resolutions at Stage 1 had in most instances resolved the issues.
In response to questions, the Corporate Customer Service Manager confirmed that she would obtain data for 2023/24 with landlord complaints removed to allow a like for like comparison to be made. She would also confirm the percentage of Stage 2 complaints that had been received in respect of planning services.
RESOLVED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee NOTED the report.
5
Draft Annual Governance Statement
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to seek approval from Governance and Audit and Standards committee for the council's draft Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDED that the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee notes and comments on the draft Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 (Appendix 1).
The purpose of the report is to seek approval from Governance and Audit and Standards committee for the council's draft Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDED that the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee notes and comments on the draft Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 (Appendix 1).
Attachments:
- Document draft AGS report 2024-25 - unsigned 09 Sep 2025
- Document DRAFT AGS 2024-25 - SEPT GASC 09 Sep 2025
Minutes
Kelly Nash, Corporate Performance Manager, introduced the report which sought approval from the committee for the council's draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024/25.
In response to questions, she explained that the changes contained within the AGS comprised an updated section in respect of customers and other necessary updates to bring the document up to date, particularly around devolution and local government reorganisation. In respect of governance changes that the latter would realise, this had been detailed within the 'Strategic Changes' section. The process was in its infancy and further, more detailed, work would be undertaken as the project progressed.
In response to a further question regarding the AGS not referencing the monitoring of the carbon footprint of the city or improving air quality she explained that the relevant paragraph reflected the wording of the Corporate Plan. The wording of the AGS would be updated in parallel with any changes to the Corporate Plan.
Ther committee referenced the large sums spent on social care, which represented in excess of 50% of the council's overall controllable spend and asked whether there could be a greater focus for this committee on the enormous costs of children we care for.
If a matter for internal audit to review, the Chief Internal Auditor confirmed that clarity around the value that Internal Audit could add would need to be known if it was to focus on this element as part of the audit programme.
RESOLVED that the Committee AGREED and was reassured by the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25.
In response to questions, she explained that the changes contained within the AGS comprised an updated section in respect of customers and other necessary updates to bring the document up to date, particularly around devolution and local government reorganisation. In respect of governance changes that the latter would realise, this had been detailed within the 'Strategic Changes' section. The process was in its infancy and further, more detailed, work would be undertaken as the project progressed.
In response to a further question regarding the AGS not referencing the monitoring of the carbon footprint of the city or improving air quality she explained that the relevant paragraph reflected the wording of the Corporate Plan. The wording of the AGS would be updated in parallel with any changes to the Corporate Plan.
Ther committee referenced the large sums spent on social care, which represented in excess of 50% of the council's overall controllable spend and asked whether there could be a greater focus for this committee on the enormous costs of children we care for.
If a matter for internal audit to review, the Chief Internal Auditor confirmed that clarity around the value that Internal Audit could add would need to be known if it was to focus on this element as part of the audit programme.
RESOLVED that the Committee AGREED and was reassured by the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25.
6
Treasury Management Monitoring Report for the First Quarter of 2025/26
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e., its borrowing and cash investments as at 30 June 2025 and of the risks attached to that position.
Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.
Recommendations
(i) That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2025/26 in the period up to 30 June 2025; and
(ii) the Treasury Management indicators as at 30 June 2025 set out in Appendix A be NOTED
The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e., its borrowing and cash investments as at 30 June 2025 and of the risks attached to that position.
Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.
Recommendations
(i) That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2025/26 in the period up to 30 June 2025; and
(ii) the Treasury Management indicators as at 30 June 2025 set out in Appendix A be NOTED
Attachments:
- Document Qtr 1 Treasury Management Review 25-26 with Appendix A FINAL 09 Sep 2025
Minutes
Helen Klemm, Finance Manager, introduced the report which updated on the council's treasury management activities as at 30 June 2025.
She advised the committee that there had been no breaches of the agreed Treasury Management Policy, there had been no new borrowing during the quarter and there were no plans for additional borrowing for the remainder of the financial year.
In response to questions from the committee around any financial risks of local government reorganisation it was explained that whilst some planning was underway there were no risks at the present time to make the committee aware of. In respect of debts which other councils, who were likely to be part of the reorganisation process with the City Council will be investigated and considered further as the process developed.
The committee was reassured by the report.
RESOLVED that
(i) the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2025/26 in the period up to 30 June 2025; and
(ii) the Treasury Management indicators as at 30 June 2025 set out in Appendix A be NOTED.
She advised the committee that there had been no breaches of the agreed Treasury Management Policy, there had been no new borrowing during the quarter and there were no plans for additional borrowing for the remainder of the financial year.
In response to questions from the committee around any financial risks of local government reorganisation it was explained that whilst some planning was underway there were no risks at the present time to make the committee aware of. In respect of debts which other councils, who were likely to be part of the reorganisation process with the City Council will be investigated and considered further as the process developed.
The committee was reassured by the report.
RESOLVED that
(i) the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2025/26 in the period up to 30 June 2025; and
(ii) the Treasury Management indicators as at 30 June 2025 set out in Appendix A be NOTED.
7
Internal Audit Performance Status Report to 1st September 2025
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to update the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee on the Internal Audit Performance for 2025-26 to 1st September 2025 against the Annual Audit Plan, highlight areas of concern and areas where assurance can be given on the internal control framework.
Recommendations
RECOMMENDED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee NOTES the Audit Performance for 2025/26 to 1st September 2025.
The purpose of this report is to update the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee on the Internal Audit Performance for 2025-26 to 1st September 2025 against the Annual Audit Plan, highlight areas of concern and areas where assurance can be given on the internal control framework.
Recommendations
RECOMMENDED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee NOTES the Audit Performance for 2025/26 to 1st September 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Progress Internal Audit Report September 2025 09 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix A Internal Audit Progress Report September 2025 09 Sep 2025
Minutes
Paul Somerset, Deputy Chief Internal Auditor, introduced the report which updated on the internal audit performance for 2025-26 to 1 September 2025 against the Annual Audit Plan.
In response to a concern raised around the four high risk exceptions in the 'Risk Management - Executive' section, the committee was advised that this related to there being different practices in place rather than there being specific risks to service delivery. Work was underway to ensure that the policy recognised necessary differences in reporting, whilst harmonising risk management frameworks wherever possible.
In respect of addressing the six high risk exceptions in the commissioning of placements in the Children, Families and Education directorate the committee was advised that reports around the risks identified had been considered by the cabinet member and that value for money around placements had also been the subject of scrutiny.
The committee noted that the audit progress was on schedule and was reassured by the progress made against the audit plan.
RESOLVED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee NOTED the Audit Performance for 2025-26 to 1 September 2025.
In response to a concern raised around the four high risk exceptions in the 'Risk Management - Executive' section, the committee was advised that this related to there being different practices in place rather than there being specific risks to service delivery. Work was underway to ensure that the policy recognised necessary differences in reporting, whilst harmonising risk management frameworks wherever possible.
In respect of addressing the six high risk exceptions in the commissioning of placements in the Children, Families and Education directorate the committee was advised that reports around the risks identified had been considered by the cabinet member and that value for money around placements had also been the subject of scrutiny.
The committee noted that the audit progress was on schedule and was reassured by the progress made against the audit plan.
RESOLVED that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee NOTED the Audit Performance for 2025-26 to 1 September 2025.
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