Appointment of Independent Member of the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee (open until 27 June 2025)

About the role

The Audit, Risk and Standards Committee is currently composed of 7 elected members and is politically balanced. The Committee meets approximately four times a year, with meetings held in person during working hours. The successful applicant will need to be available to attend these meetings and any associated training and development events. 

The Committee is a key element of the Council's arrangements to support good governance. It has the specific role of independently reviewing the council's financial and risk management, approving the statement of accounts and of ensuring internal controls are adequate for council services.

Further information about the committee and its meetings can be viewed in the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee section of our website.

The co-option of an independent member will help to bring additional knowledge and expertise to the Committee and will also reinforce its political neutrality and independence. Co-opted members to Council committees are not members of the Council itself, therefore other than in limited circumstances they have no voting rights. Co-opted members would instead be consulted during committee meetings and their views are taken into account by voting members of the committee.

Key Responsibilities and Commitments

The independent member will need to have appropriate skills, experiences and competencies to meet the key responsibilities and commitments below.

• committing to attend and constructively participate in meetings
• thorough preparation for meetings through careful consideration of all agenda reports and documents
• questioning members of the Executive and senior management on issues arising from committee papers with due regard to the role of the committee
• adopting and demonstrating a politically neutral perspective in questions asked and the general contribution to the work of the committee
• applying relevant skills and experiences to add value and depth to the work of the committee
• committing to personal development in the role
• Committing to attend training sessions in accordance with agreed development
• signing and abiding by the Members Code of Conduct
• adopting the highest levels of personal integrity, openness and honesty

Person Specification

The attributes that we are looking for are listed below. Applicants for the role should complete the application form to express their interest and explain how they meet the desirable requirements.

• knowledge / experience of the roles and purpose of Internal and External Audit
• knowledge / experience of risk management, performance management and financial governance
• good advocacy skills: able to present relevant and well-reasoned arguments and provide effective and constructive challenge
• ability to effectively analyse and interpret complex issues arising from written and verbal reports on finance, audit, risk management and governance matters
• good understanding of the importance of accountability and probity in public life
• ability to demonstrate objectivity, integrity and discretion
• good communication and interpersonal skills; a confident public speaker
• ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Knowledge of the following is desirable:

• previous experience of audit committees
• understanding of local government and the role of officers and members
• the council's objectives, key activities and the key challenges it faces
• have local connections, and either reside ideally within the Borough of Great Yarmouth or carry out the main part of your work or have other recognisable ties to the area (if there are no suitable candidates from within the Borough then applications will be considered from those with similar ties within the County of Norfolk)

You must:

• agree to abide by the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct while serving on the Committee
• disclose to the Council any matter that might damage its reputation or indicate a real or perceived conflict of interest with the role of the Committee.

You must not:

• be a councillor or officer of the Council or have been so in the preceding five years prior to appointment.
• be related to, or a close friend of, any councillor or officer of the Council
• have been convicted of any offence attracting a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for not less than a period of 3 months without the option of a fine - the Council has the right to DBS check any independent committee members
• be an undischarged bankrupt
• have significant business dealings with the Council
• have a formal connection with any political group
• be an employee of or the holder of a significant office in an organisation with close commercial links with the Council
• have Council Tax, Business Rates arrears or other debts owing to the Council

Remuneration

The postholder will receive reasonable expenses for attending meetings of the Governance, Risk and Audit Committee and associated training sessions. 

Behaviour and Code of Conduct

Whilst operating as a member of the Governance, Risk and Audit Committee, co-opted independent members are expected to follow the Local Government Association's Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020.

Application and Selection Process

Please submit your application form (below) to Caroline Whatling, Head of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer:

• by email to: caroline.whatling@norfolk.gov.uk
• by post to: Caroline Whatling, Head of Legal and Governance, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth NR30 2QF

Application form

• Audit Independent Member Application form

The closing date for applications is 18 July 2025 at 5pm.