Decision - New England House Closure: Response to Internal Audit

This report feeds back on the lessons learnt report prepared by the Internal Audit Team, and reflects on wider organisational learning for the council.

RESOLVED – That the Audit, Standards, and General Purposes Committee: 1) Notes the Internal Audit report as set out at Appendix 1 of the report. 2) Notes the recommendations for action as set out in paragraphs 3.10 and 3.13 of the report setting how the city council, as a learning organisation, are responding and applying lessons learned. 3) Agrees to officers bringing a report to a future meeting of Audit, Standards and General Purposes Committee, six months from the date of this meeting, to update on progress in implementing lessons and actions from the Lessons Learned report.

The report presents the Internal Audit lessons learned review into the temporary closure of New England House in November 2024 because of fire safety concerns. Brighton & Hove City Council is implementing actions on contract management, project governance, escalation of concerns, record keeping, commissioned reports and consultation on fire safety, with a progress report planned in six months.