Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
22
Meetings (2025):
70
Meetings (2024):
72
Meeting
Audit and Accounts Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 23rd June 2025
6:30 PM
Monday, 23rd June 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 23rd June 2025
9:30 PM
Monday, 23rd June 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
23 Jun 2025
23 Jun 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
Leader of the Conservative Group
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Richard Harbord (Co Opted Member of the Audit and Accounts Committee)
Apologies
Reserve
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee
Committee Member
Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Chair
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Councillor Paul Basham
Basingstoke & Deane Independent Group
Apologies, sent representative
View Profile
Committee Member
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Guest
Co-Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Property
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillors P Basham, D Conquest and J Izett, and R. Harbord (Co-Opted Member of the Audit and Accounts Committee).
2
Appointment of Vice-Chair
To appoint a Vice-Chair to the Audit and Accounts Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
Minutes
Councillor S Minas-Bound was appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
Councillor S Minas-Bound subsequently chaired the meeting in the absence of Councillor P Basham.
Councillor S Minas-Bound subsequently chaired the meeting in the absence of Councillor P Basham.
3
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
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.
5
Minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 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 31 March 2025 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2025 were confirmed by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chair.
6
EY Audit Planning Report 2024/25
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
The purpose of this report is for the external auditors, EY, to present their planning document which will form the basis of the external audit that they will carry out on the council’s accounts for the financial year 2024/25.
The purpose of this report is for the external auditors, EY, to present their planning document which will form the basis of the external audit that they will carry out on the council’s accounts for the financial year 2024/25.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Council’s external auditors, EY, introduced their planning report which formed the basis of the external audit to be carried out on the Council’s accounts for the financial year 2024/25.
The external auditors informed the committee, that as part of the 2024/25 audit strategy, there would be an increased audit focus on the land disposal and accounting treatment related to the council’s purchase of Manydown North as part of its interest in Manydown Garden Communities LLP. This was a joint venture with Hampshire County Council. As a result, the Council was required to prepare group accounts for the first time as part of its statement of accounts.
Resolved: The Committee note the EY Audit Planning report 2024/25.
The external auditors informed the committee, that as part of the 2024/25 audit strategy, there would be an increased audit focus on the land disposal and accounting treatment related to the council’s purchase of Manydown North as part of its interest in Manydown Garden Communities LLP. This was a joint venture with Hampshire County Council. As a result, the Council was required to prepare group accounts for the first time as part of its statement of accounts.
Resolved: The Committee note the EY Audit Planning report 2024/25.
7
Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025/2026
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
The purpose of this report is for the Committee to approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance 2024/2025.
The purpose of this report is for the Committee to approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance 2024/2025.
Attachments:
- Document Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025/2026 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 for Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025/2026 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Legal Services Manager introduced the report, which presented the Committee with the Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025/26 for approval.
Resolved: The Committee approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025/26.
Resolved: The Committee approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance 2025/26.
8
Annual Governance Statement 2024/25
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
The report seeks the committee’s approval of the review of the council’s corporate governance arrangements through the preparation of the council’s Annual Governance Statement following the principles of the CIPFA Local Code of Corporate Governance (“the Code”).
The report seeks the committee’s approval of the review of the council’s corporate governance arrangements through the preparation of the council’s Annual Governance Statement following the principles of the CIPFA Local Code of Corporate Governance (“the Code”).
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Chief Finance Officer introduced the report, which sought the Committee’s approval of the review of the council’s corporate governance arrangements through the preparation of the council’s Annual Governance Statement following the principles of the CIPFA Local Code of Corporate Governance.
Resolved: The Committee approve the draft Annual Governance Statement 2024/25.
Resolved: The Committee approve the draft Annual Governance Statement 2024/25.
9
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Annual Report and Annual Review of the RIPA Policy
Contact Officer: Ann Greaves
This report provides members of the Committee with an annual update on the use of RIPA, and other associated RIPA activities, and an opportunity to consider whether the RIPA policy and procedure on the use of covert surveillance under RIPA requires further review.
This report provides members of the Committee with an annual update on the use of RIPA, and other associated RIPA activities, and an opportunity to consider whether the RIPA policy and procedure on the use of covert surveillance under RIPA requires further review.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Legal Services Manager introduced the report, which provided the Committee with an annual update on the use of RIPA and other associated RIPA activities, and an opportunity to consider whether the RIPA policy and procedure on the use of covert surveillance required further review.
Resolved: The Committee:
Note the findings of the annual overview on authorisations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and other associated activities. Agree the amended RIPA Policy.
Resolved: The Committee:
Note the findings of the annual overview on authorisations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and other associated activities. Agree the amended RIPA Policy.
10
Annual Property Plan 2024-25 - Year End Report
Contact Officer: Liz Suatt
Report to follow.
Report to follow.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property introduced the report, alongside the Head of Property and Assets, which outlined the activity within the council’s Property and Assets team in implementing the approved Annual Property Plan 2024-25 during the year.
It was confirmed that the report considered at the meeting was an amended version, with figures removed that had been included in error.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report.
It was confirmed that the report considered at the meeting was an amended version, with figures removed that had been included in error.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report.
11
Internal Audit Progress Report (April-June 2025)
Contact Officer: Richard Bevan
This report provides the Audit and Accounts Committee with details of the work carried out against the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan between April & March 2025.
This report provides the Audit and Accounts Committee with details of the work carried out against the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan between April & March 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 2 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 3 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 4 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Senior Auditor introduced the report which informed members of the Committee of the work completed by the Internal Audit Team during the period April-June 2025, and the current position with audit recommendations.
Following a request at the previous committee meeting, the Head of Environment and Community Services provided an update on progress against the audit recommendations of Parking Services that took place in October 2024, which received a limited assurance rating. The Head of Service referred to staffing issues at the time the audit took place. It was stated that work had since been undertaken to improve business continuity. The Head of Service stated that 16 audit recommendations had since been completed and work was ongoing to complete 7 recommendations.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Questioned if there had been any further progress on audit recommendations after the report was published. The Senior Auditor stated that further updates on recommendations were followed up with prior to every committee meeting. Queried progress on the Parking Enforcement Policy, which had a revised target completion date of September, and highlighted the issue of abandoned vehicles.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Internal Audit Progress Report (April-June 2025), provides its comments, and note the contents of the report.
Following a request at the previous committee meeting, the Head of Environment and Community Services provided an update on progress against the audit recommendations of Parking Services that took place in October 2024, which received a limited assurance rating. The Head of Service referred to staffing issues at the time the audit took place. It was stated that work had since been undertaken to improve business continuity. The Head of Service stated that 16 audit recommendations had since been completed and work was ongoing to complete 7 recommendations.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Questioned if there had been any further progress on audit recommendations after the report was published. The Senior Auditor stated that further updates on recommendations were followed up with prior to every committee meeting. Queried progress on the Parking Enforcement Policy, which had a revised target completion date of September, and highlighted the issue of abandoned vehicles.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Internal Audit Progress Report (April-June 2025), provides its comments, and note the contents of the report.
12
Internal Audit Annual Report- 2024-25
Contact Officer: Paul Gundry
This report informs the Audit and Accounts Committee that the Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance is providing a ‘substantial assurance’ opinion on the effectiveness of the council’s risk management, control and governance arrangements.
This report informs the Audit and Accounts Committee that the Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance is providing a ‘substantial assurance’ opinion on the effectiveness of the council’s risk management, control and governance arrangements.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 2 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 3 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Head of Audit, Fraud and Insurance introduced the report, which informed the Committee with a ‘substantial’ assurance annual opinion on the effectiveness of the council’s risk management, control and governance arrangements which was a requirement of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Internal Audit Annual Report- 2024-25 and note the contents of the report.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Internal Audit Annual Report- 2024-25 and note the contents of the report.
13
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 2024/25 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 2024/25 in protecting the public purse.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 2 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 3 12 Jun 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 2024-25 in protecting the public purse.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Fraud Update- Protecting the Public Purse and note the contents of the report.
Resolved: The Committee considers the Fraud Update- Protecting the Public Purse and note the contents of the report.
14
Audit and Accounts Committee Annual Report 2024/25
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
This is the annual report of the Audit and Accounts Committee. This report seeks the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report.
This is the annual report of the Audit and Accounts Committee. This report seeks the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Chief Finance Officer introduced the report, which summarised the main areas of work of the Committee over the previous year. As part of an effectiveness review carried out by the Audit and Accounts Committee in 2023 it was agreed that a short annual report on the work undertaken by the committee would be presented to Council yearly. This aligned with recommendations from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Resolved: The Committee:
Approve the Annual Report for publication in the form appended in appendix 1. Recommend presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approve the Annual Report for publication in the form appended in appendix 1. Recommend presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
15
Treasury Management 2024/25 Annual Report
Contact Officer: Adam Swain
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the outturn position in relation to the council’s treasury management activity for the financial year 2024/25.
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the outturn position in relation to the council’s treasury management activity for the financial year 2024/25.
Attachments:
- Document Report 12 Jun 2025
- Document Appendix 1 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Chief Finance Officer introduced the report, which showed the activity within the council’s treasury management function from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The report would be presented at the Full Council meeting on 17 July 2025.
In response to a question, the Chief Finance Officer stated that the council’s sale of some bond funds was part of its treasury management strategy.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report and provides its comments for consideration by Council.
In response to a question, the Chief Finance Officer stated that the council’s sale of some bond funds was part of its treasury management strategy.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report and provides its comments for consideration by Council.
16
Audit and Accounts Work Programme
The Committee is asked to note and review its work programme.
Attachments:
- Document Audit and Accounts Work Programme 12 Jun 2025
- Document Action Tracking Log 12 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Vice-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 Vice-Chair also introduced the list of actions from previous Committee meetings.
The Vice-Chair also introduced the list of actions from previous Committee meetings.
17
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
18
Confidential/exempt items for information
Item 10- Annual Property Plan- Appendix 1 is exempt.
Previous Meetings
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