Governance arrangements
Brent Council is reviewing governance arrangements for Barham Park, while Harrow Council addresses audit findings on governance weaknesses.
A review of governance arrangements, the systems and processes by which an organisation is directed and controlled, is underway for Brent's Barham Park Trust. In September 2026, the Barham Park Trust Committee requested this review to explore transferring the park estate to Council ownership, as part of discussions on the park's operational and strategic future.
Separately, external audits have highlighted weaknesses in council governance. Harrow Council's 2024/25 external audit, presented in November 2025, revealed significant weaknesses in governance arrangements for its schools grant, PFI contract, children's social care, and fraud. Haringey's Audit Committee in July 2026 and Barnet's Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee in June 2026 also reviewed their councils' governance arrangements.
Key facts
- Barham Park Trust Committee requested a review of governance arrangements to explore transferring the park estate to Council ownership in September 2026. Source
- Harrow Council's external audit for 2024/25 revealed significant weaknesses in governance arrangements. Source
- Weaknesses identified by Harrow Council's audit included schools grant, PFI contract, children's social care, and fraud governance. Source
- The findings of Harrow's audit were presented to its Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee in November 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.