Please reply to:

 

 

Contact:

Christeen Abee

 

Service:

Committee Services

 

Direct Line:

01784 446224

 

E-mail:

c.abee@spelthorne.gov.uk

 

Date:

16 February 2026

 

 

Notice of meeting

 

 

Audit Committee

 

 

Date:

 

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Time:

 

7.00 pm

Place:

 

Council Chamber, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 1XB

 

To the members of the Audit Committee

 

Councillors:

 

J. Button (Chair)

K. Howkins (Vice-Chair)

G. Neall

 

L. E. Nichols

H.R.D. Williams

P.N. Woodward

 

R. Chandler

P. Briggs

S. Seehra

 

 

Substitute Members: Councillors

C. Bateson, J.R. Boughtflower and T. Burrell

 

Councillors are reminded that the Gifts and Hospitality Declaration book will be available outside the meeting room for you to record any gifts or hospitality offered to you since the last Committee meeting.

 

Agenda

 

                                                                                                                                                   Page nos.

 

<AI1>

1.  

Apologies and Substitutes

 

 

 

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

 

 

</AI1>

<AI2>

2.  

Minutes

 

5 - 8

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2026.

 

 

</AI2>

<AI3>

3.  

Disclosures of Interest

 

 

 

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

 

 

</AI3>

<AI4>

4.  

Audit Progress Report and Sector Updates from the External Auditor

 

9 - 22

 

Committee is asked to consider the Audit progress report and sector updates from Grant Thornton, the Council’s external auditor.

 

 

</AI4>

<AI5>

5.  

Audited Statement of Accounts

 

To Follow

 

Report to follow.

 

 

</AI5>

<AI6>

6.  

Improvement and Recovery Plan Assurance Report

 

23 - 32

 

Committee is asked to consider:

1.    Whether the arrangements for the governance of the Improvement and Recovery Plan, including the role of the Audit Committee are sufficient;

2.    Progress made-to-date on Improvement and Recovery Plan actions and to note, subject to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee approval, the shift to tracking outcomes;

3.    The Recommendation for Improvement and Recovery Plan information coming to Audit Committee and suggest any changes or amendments to topics or frequency of meeting attendance.

 

 

</AI6>

<AI7>

7.  

Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy

 

33 - 52

 

Committee is asked to:

1.    Acknowledge the annual review of the Council’s Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy;

2.    Approve the proposed amendments to the Council’s Counter Fraud, Bribery, and Corruption Strategy; and

3.    Recommend to the Council that the Constitution be updated with the revised Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.

 

 

</AI7>

<AI8>

8.  

Governance Assurance Update

 

53 - 56

 

Committee will receive an update on Governance Assurance and Risk Management from the Deputy Chief Executive.

 

 

</AI8>

<AI9>

9.  

Committee Forward Plan

 

57 - 60

 

To consider and approve the work programme for the municipal year

 

 

</AI9>

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