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Independent Member of St Helens Council's Audit & Governance Committee

Salary: £500 per annum

Closing date: 23/04/2025

St. Helens Council is looking for a citizen with a good understanding of public sector finance, governance and audit to be co-opted as an Independent Member to its Audit & Governance Committee.

The Committee is a key component of the Council’s corporate governance. The Committee provides independent assurance and high-level focus on risk management, governance, financial controls, annual accounts and the work of internal and external audit.

The role of a co-opted Independent Member would undertake an independent, non-voting role on the Committee, providing external challenge, support and advice, promote good governance and to bring additional knowledge and expertise to the Committee and reinforce its political neutrality and independence.

The appointment will ensure that the Council satisfies the requirements of the

Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) Audit Committees, Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Police (2022 edition) and the Terms of Reference for the Committee, as well as supporting the outcomes from the Redmond Independent Review into the Oversight of Local Audit and the Transparency of Local Authority Financial Reporting, to sustain good governance.

Eligibility

You should be politically neutral and be able to demonstrate objectivity and independence in order to sit as an Independent Member on the Committee.

You should not:

• be active in local or national politics
• be a member of a political party or pressure group
• have had significant previous dealings with the Council which may compromise your impartiality
• have any personal, legal or contractual relationship with the Council (including employees or councillors or former staff), or any other relationship / activity which might represent a conflict of interest.

The following persons cannot be an independent member:

• A serving councillor or local government officer
• Former officers or elected members of St Helens Council within the previous 5 years

The appointment will be for a fixed term of up to 3 years, subject to approval by a meeting of full Council. Prior to joining the Committee, induction training will be provided.

As an independent member, you will be required to sign an undertaking to abide by the Council’s Code of Conduct for Elected & Co-Opted Members, which sets out standards of behaviour expected from all members. You will also be required to complete a Register of Interests form on an annual basis and keep this updated.

The estimated time commitment required to undertake the role will vary, on average it would involve attendance at 4 scheduled evening committee meetings per municipal year and associated reading of the agenda papers, plus attendance at training.

A co-optee allowance of £500.00 remuneration per year is payable for this role.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a supporting application and CV in writing detailing your skills, knowledge and experience applicable to the role.

Please include the contact details of two referees.

For further details and to register your interest please click "Apply via our website"

If successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to take part in an interview with a panel comprising the Chair of Audit & Governance Committee and officers during week commencing 28 April 2025.

Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications and encourage you to apply early, to avoid disappointment.

St Helens Council is a Disability Confident Leader. This means that the Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within the interview/selection process.

Equality & Diversity

St Helens Borough Council respects and values the individuality that every employee brings. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation. Further information about Equality & Diversity at St Helens Borough Council can be found on our website.

St Helens Borough Council is a Disability Confident Leader. Disability Confident Leader lead the way in helping to take action that changes attitudes, behaviours, and cultures for the better.