Co-opted Independent Member

Do you have the following skills, experience and drive to succeed in this role Find out below.

The Redmond Review proposed legislation requiring Audit Committees to have at least one Co-opted Independent Member. CIPFA have issued guidance advising that “The Audit Committees of Local Authorities should include co-opted independent members in accordance with the appropriate legislation.”

Devon Assurance Partnership is working with Devon County Council, West Devon Council and the soon to be formed Devon and Torbay CCA to recruit new co-opted Independent Committee Members. A co-opted Independent Member is a Committee member who is not an elected representative.

We are seeking people with no direct connection to the Councils’ political groups to join their Audit Committees. Co-Opted Members will sit with elected Councillors bringing an informed and independent perspective. The objective of including such members is to increase the knowledge and experience base of the Committee, reinforcing its independence.

This is a role carries public responsibility and you will have the chance to make a meaningful and positive contribution to the residents of the region.

The ideal candidate should:

Have a professional audit/accountancy/finance/business management background.
Be able to interpret and analyse numerical data with a view to asking probing questions to reach rational conclusions.
Be a critical thinker and seek to uphold accountability.
Be confident in fully and proactively participating in the consideration of matters before the Committee at its public meetings.
Be a good listener; fair, unbiased and objective in their approach.

Audit Committees are a key component of an authority's governance framework, and they strive to support good governance and strong public financial management.

They provide independent assurance on the adequacy of the risk management framework, the internal control environment and the integrity of the financial reporting and governance processes. By overseeing both Internal and External Audit the Committee makes an important contribution to ensuring that effective assurance arrangements are in place.

In order to be eligible to apply for the position applicants must not:

be a Councillor or Officer or have been so in the preceding 12 months prior to appointment.
be related to, or a close friend of, a Councillor or Senior Officer of the Local Authority.
have been convicted of any offence.
be an undischarged bankrupt.
have significant business /contractual dealings with the Council/s.
have a proven history of vexatious and/or frivolous complaints at any of the Councils.
be in arrears with Council Tax, Business Rates or have other outstanding debts owing to the Devon Councils.

The Committee meets four and six times per year and at other times as required. You will be expected to undertake a small amount of work in preparation for these meetings including, reading agendas, considering relevant data, and liaising with council staff.

A fixed annual fee will be paid to successful post holders. You will be required to complete any formal administrative elements of the recruitment process to enable this to be actioned.

You can find out more about DAP on our website where you will also find links to our Partner Local Authorities Devon Assurance Partnership

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming an Independent Member on an Audit & Governance Committee, please apply by completing sending your CV and Covering letter via the form below.

Appointment terms would be linked the election cycles of the Local Authority and may be extended for a further 12 months to link with any changes in Committee membership.

You may be offered the opportunity to sit on more than one Audit Committee.

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

The closing date for applications is the 5th January 2025 at midnight.

Devon County Council

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Devon County Council | Co-opted Independent Member