Audit & Standards Committee

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter, in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members are asked to receive any questions, statements or petitions, of which notice has been received, from members of the public

Members are asked to agree the minutes, attached marked 4, of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee, held on 25 September 2025, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

This report, to follow marked 5, puts forward a 2026 Work Plan for the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee for consideration and approval by Members.  The report also reviews implementation of the activities listed in last year’s Work Plan.

This report, attached marked 6, presents the completed Statement of Accounts for 2024/25 to the Committee for consideration and approval. 

As the Statement is in excess of 90 pages, a hard copy has not been included with the meeting papers but can be accessed on the Fire Authority’s website via the following link: 

30 September 2025 | Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

A paper copy will be made available upon request. 

The Fire Authority is asked to note the Auditors Annual Report 2024/25, to follow marked 7b.

For consideration and adoption

Representatives of the External Auditors will present the Audit Findings for the year ended 31 March 2025, to follow marked 7a.

The Chair of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee, Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer (in accordance with the authority delegated to them by the Fire Authority at its meeting on 13 February 2012) will then sign the Letter of Representation for the year ended 31 March 2025, as required by External Audit.

This report, attached marked 8, provides the Committee with a progress update on delivery of the annual internal audit plan, the results of which will be used to form the annual opinion on the Service’s framework of internal control, risk management and governance.

This report, attached marked 9, summarises the progress made to date against the improvements contained in the Annual Governance Statement Improvement Plan 2025/26.

This report, attached marked 10, updates Members on the status of risks on the Corporate Risk Register.

This report, attached marked 11a, details the Service’s progress towards improvement identified by the HMICFRS Cause of Concern.

This report, attached marked 11b, details the Service’s progress towards improvement identified by the HMICFRS Areas For Improvement.

This report, attached marked 11c, presents the Service progress against the recommendations made to the sector in the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Standards of behaviour: The handling of misconduct in the fire and rescue services report 

Members are asked to note the minutes of the Pension Board meeting, attached marked 12, held on 23 September 2025.