Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the RFO to agree the Annual Governance statement.

In line with The Accounts & Audit (England) Regulations 2015.To receive and consider the Annual Governance & Accountability Return for 2025/26.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) concerning the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) for 2025/26 under the Accounts & Audit (England) Regulations 2015.

Members were reminded of the statutory requirement to complete and submit the AGAR by 30 June 2026.

The RFO guided Members through each section of the AGAR submission, reinforcing the details outlined in the report, with particular reference to the responses to the ten assertions contained within Section 1, the Annual Governance Statement.

Members were advised of the reasoning for the restatement of the total fixed assets figure within Section 2, Accounting Statements 2025/26 and it was further noted that the External Auditor’s report would be completed by 30 September 2026, at which point Section 3 the External Auditor Report and Certificate would be finalised.

Members were in agreement with all recommendations outlined in the report.

Recommended:

1. That, the Annual Internal Audit report be noted and;
2. That, the Annual Governance Statement at Section 1 of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2026 be approved and adopted with questions 1 to 8 and 10 answered “Yes” and question 9 marked as “Not Applicable” and,
3. That, the Statement of Accounts at Section 2 of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2026 be approved and adopted and,
4. That, the draft Notice of Public Rights and Publication for 2025/26 be noted