Independent Member - Audit and Standards Committee

at  Staffordshire County Council

Job Introduction
We are looking to appoint an Independent Member to the Audit & Standards Committee to support it in delivering and promoting good governance.

The Council’s Audit & Standards Committee is a key component of the Council’s corporate governance framework, providing independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards within the Council. The Committee has wide ranging responsibilities reporting to the full Council on an annual basis. Its main purpose is to:

• An independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards.
• Independent review of the Council’s governance, risk management, control frameworks and oversees the financial reporting and annual governance processes; and
• Promote high standards of ethical behaviour by developing, maintaining and monitoring Codes of Conduct for Councillors and co-opted Members (including other persons acting in a similar capacity).

The appointment will be for a period of 4 years.
Main Responsibilities

You’ll:

• be part of the Committee in an advisory and consultative capacity but will not have a vote unlike the elected members of the Committee who are entitled to vote.
• will be expected to provide specialist knowledge and insight to the workings and deliberations of the Committee and to support the Committee in providing effective, independent assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework, an independent review of the Council’s financial and non-financial performance, and in providing independent challenge to, and assurance over, the Council’s internal control framework and wider governance processes.
• Actively promote good governance, risk management and control in the delivery of the Council’s functions.
• Attend and participate in formal Committee meetings, providing external challenge and support in relation to reports presented to the Committee. Each Independent Member will need to be available for up to eight meetings per year of the Audit & Standards Committee which will be held at County Buildings in Stafford, during normal office hours.
• Prepare for each meeting by reading the agenda papers and additional information to familiarise yourself with the issues under discussion and consider the questions you may wish to put to officers. To be available on occasions for email or telephone consultation.
• At the meetings ask questions in a way which is apolitical, non-judgemental and respects confidentiality.
• Keep up to date with key issues for the Council; to develop your understanding of the key priorities and initiatives being pursued.
• Contribute to achieving open, accountable and transparent local democracy in Staffordshire.
• To abide by the Council’s Constitution and Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Ideal Candidate

You will:

• be a general member of the public (i.e. a non-elected representative)
• have good advocacy skills:
• be able to present relevant and well-reasoned arguments, and provide effective and constructive challenge
• have an ability to set aside own views and always remain open-minded, objective, and impartial and act with integrity
• have an ability to analyse, interpret and absorb information and evidence effectively and quickly
• have good communication and interpersonal skills; a confident public speaker
• an ability and willingness to challenge ideas and contribute positively to policy development
• an understanding the role of officers, members and other agencies and ability to have constructive and challenging dialogue with other Members and Officers
• have respect for, and desire to work with different groups and individuals with a commitment to supporting continual improvement and development within the Council
• have practical experience in financial management/accountancy within the public or private sector.
• have knowledge of financial controls and management, and/or governance, risk and audit matters.
• have an understanding and compliance with confidentiality requirements

Unfortunately you cannot be appointed as an Independent Member if you:

• have significant previous dealings with the Council which may compromise (or give the appearance of compromising) their impartiality and independence.
• are a member of a local authority, or have been in the last five years, or are actively engaged in local party-political activity.
• are an employee or consultant to the Authority or other partner organisation with which the Council has dealings and which might affect your impartiality.
• are related to, or are a close friend/associate of, any Member or senior officer of the Council.
• a Member of Parliament

You must disclose to the Council any matter that might damage the reputation of the Council or indicate a real or perceived conflict of interest with the role of the Audit Committee.

• An independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards.
• Independent review of the Council’s governance, risk management, control frameworks and oversees the financial reporting and annual governance processes; and
• Promote high standards of ethical behaviour by developing, maintaining and monitoring Codes of Conduct for Councillors and co-opted Members (including other persons acting in a similar capacity)