Apologies for absence are received from:

·       Cllr Amar Latif, with Cllr Mike Rowley as substitute.

The External Auditors, Ernst & Young, will provide a verbal update to the Committee.

Report of: The Internal Auditor, BDO

Purpose of report: To inform the Committee on progress made against the Internal Audit work plan and on the outcome of their reviews.

Recommendation: To discuss and note the report.

Report of: The Internal Auditor, BDO

Purpose of report: To inform the Committee on the implementation of the recommendations from their previous internal audit reviews.

Recommendation: To discuss and note the report.

Report of: The Head of Law and Governance

Purpose of report: To present the 2022/23 Annual Governance Statement for approval. The Committee is asked to review the Annual Governance Statement prior to approval and consider whether it properly reflects the risk environment and supporting assurances, taking into account the internal auditor’s opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s framework of governance, risk management and control.

Recommendation: That the Audit & Governance Committee resolves to:

1.    Approve the Annual Governance Statement for the 2022/23 financial year

Report of: Head of Law & Governance

Purpose of report: To present two flowcharts, for inclusion in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Surveillance Policy and Procedure, for approval and adoption.

Recommendation(s): That the Committee approves the two flowcharts, at Appendix 1 to the report, for inclusion in the Surveillance Policy and Procedure.

Report of: The Head of Business Improvement

Purpose of report: To update the Committee on the prioritisation of projects with ICT involvement.

Recommendation: That the Committee resolves to:

1.       To note the report

2.       To confirm the committee is satisfied with the approach

To review the work programme of the Committee for the municipal year 2023/24.

The Committee is scheduled to meet at 6.00pm in the Town Hall on the following dates:

·       08 November 2023

·       17 January 2024

·       08 April 2024

If the Committee wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for the Committee to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Decisions come into effect after the latest of the expiry of the post-meeting councillor call in period; reconsideration of a called-in decision; or Council’s agreement of recommendations. Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1BX Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Committee may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

This item includes exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. If the Committee wishes to discuss matters relating to the information set out in attached report to this item, it will be necessary for the Committee to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting (as set out at agenda item 12).

Report of: The Head of Business Improvement

Purpose of Report: To update the Committee on the prioritisation of projects with ICT involvement.

Recommendation(s): That the Committee resolves to:

1.       To note the report

2.       To confirm the committee is satisfied with the approach

To approve as a true and accurate record the minutes, and the confidential minutes, of the meeting held on 26 July 2023.