Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee - Thursday, 22nd May, 2025 7.00 pm - Agenda

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd April, 2025.

To receive the Executive Head of Finance’s Report No. 24RBC (copy attached) which includes commentary on the Value for Money (VFM) arrangements for Rushmoor Borough Council for the Audit Year 2023/24. The report and commentary explain the work undertaken by Council’s external auditors, Ernst & Young (EY), and highlights any significant weaknesses identified, along with recommendations for improvement.

To receive the Executive Head of Finance’s Report No. 25RBC (copy attached) which includes the provisional audit planning report from the Council’s external auditors, Ernst & Young (EY), for the 2024/25 audit.

To consider the Financial Governance Manager’s Report No. AUD25/03 (copy attached) which presents the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 for review and approval.

To receive the Financial Governance Manager’s Report No. AUD25/04 (copy attached) which presents the Financial Governance Manager’s independent annual audit opinion for 2024/25.

To consider the Executive Head of Finance’s Report (copy attached) which sets out the activities of the Treasury Management and Non-Treasury Management Investment Operations as at 31st March, 2025.

To consider the Monitoring Officer’s Report No. LEG25/01 (copy attached) which seeks dispensations from requirements relating to declarations of interest for those Members who have been receiving Hampshire County Council allowance and Rushmoor Borough Council allowance, to be allowed to vote on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

To consider the Corporate Manager - Democracy Report No. DEM2505 (copy attached) which sets out proposed updates to the Council’s Constitution for recommendation to Council and an update and proposals for taking forward the CfGS Committee Review recommendations.

(1)  Outside Bodies

To consider the appointment of representatives to outside bodies.  A list of those bodies on which the Council is represented, which includes details of proposed nominations for 2025/26 is attached.

(2)  Appointments and Appeals Panels –

To confirm that the Corporate Manager - Democracy is authorised to make appointments to the Appointments and Appeals Panels, in accordance with the membership criteria set out in the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

(3)  Licensing Sub-Committee

To confirm the Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the 2025/26 Municipal Year on the basis of five Members (Proposed: 3 Lab: 2 representatives of other groups).

(4)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments)

To confirm that the Corporate Manager - Democracy is authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in accordance with the procedure agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 21st May, 2009 and detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

(5)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis)

To confirm that the Corporate Manager – Democracy is authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in accordance with the procedure agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 27th June 2021 and detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

(6)  Constitution Working Group –

To appoint a cross-party Constitution Working Group for 2025/26. The appointments to be made on the basis of six Members including two Cabinet Members, the Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee, and representatives of other groups.