The Audit Committee of Tower Hamlets Council has reviewed its terms of reference and found that they delegate nothing
to the committee, raising concerns about its ability to effectively oversee council finances and operations.
This observation was raised by Councillor Martin Parker during a meeting on Thursday, 23 July 2026, prompting officers to review the committee's terms of reference. The current terms of reference, as outlined in Appendix 1 of the reports pack [https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/documents/g17316/Public%20reports%20pack%2023rd-Jul-2026%2018.30%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10], state that nothing is delegated to the committee, despite its requirement to make recommendations to the Council and produce an annual report.
Officers were asked to review the terms of reference for any necessary amendments. The Chair, Barry Quirk, stressed the importance of clarity on the basis for making recommendations and the need to align with the committee's delegated authority. This lack of clarity could hinder the committee's effectiveness in its oversight role.
The committee's terms of reference, membership, quorum, and dates of meetings for the 2026-27 municipal year were discussed during the meeting, which was convened on Thursday, 23 July 2026. The agenda for this meeting can be found here: [https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/documents/g17316/Agenda%20frontsheet%2023rd-Jul-2026%2018.30%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=0].
