Audit and Governance Committee

Purpose:

To receive declarations of interest from Councillors relating to items to be considered at the meeting, in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Authority’s Local Code of Conduct, and any from Officers.

Purpose:

To note there were no matters referred to this Committee for decision.

Recommendation:

That the Minutes of the meeting and any recorded actions held on 15 July 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Recommendation:

To note RSM’s Progress Report October 2026.

Appendix A – Pages 1-7
Appendix B – Pages 1-17

Recommendation:

To note Grant Thornton’s Annual Report (Appendix A) and Audit Findings (Appendix B).

Appendix A – Pages 1-34
Appendix B – Pages 1-44

Recommendation:

To agree the Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26, attached at Appendix A, note the assurance process and conclusion arising from the annual review of the effectiveness of the Authority’s governance arrangements and note the significant governance issues identified, together with the arrangements for monitoring and reporting progress against the associated actions.

Appendix A – Pages 1-22

Recommendation:

To note the performance against Service Provision and Corporate Health measures for the targets agreed by the Fire Authority for 2026-2027, note the progress made on the RBFRS priority programmes and note the position of corporate risk.

Appendix A – Pages 1-92

Recommendation:

To note the outcome of the third consultation on the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority Member Code of Conduct, Appendix A, and recommend to the Fire Authority that no changes be made to the Code of Conduct.

Appendix A – Pages 1-19

Recommendation:

That the Forward Plan be noted.

Wednesday 27 January 2027, 6.30pm at RBFRS Headquarters, Newsham Court, Pincents Kiln, Calcot, Reading RG31 7SD.