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Fixed Term position for 4 years

Basic Allowance of £1,250 per annum

Luton Borough Council is currently looking for a new independent member to join its Audit and Governance Committee for an initial four year term, ending May 2027, with the potential to extend for a further term.

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

You will be the independent members on the Audit and Governance Committee alongside seven councillors. The independent member will serve a term of four years, subject to approval of Council, which may be renewed up to a maximum of two terms, for which you will receive an annual allowance of £1,250 currently. As an independent member you will be required to sign an undertaking to abide by a Code of Conduct for Members, which sets out standards of behaviour expected from all members. Additionally, you will be required to complete a Register of Interests form on an annual basis.

The role

The estimated time commitment required to undertake the role will vary, on average it would involve attendance at seven evening meetings (lasting approx 2-3 hours) a year and associated reading of the prepared papers.

The Audit and Governance Committee is responsible for promoting excellence in governance, risk management, financial reporting and counter-fraud.

You will need to:

To engage fully in collective consideration of the issues before the Committee, taking into account a full range of relevant factors, including legislation and supporting regulation, professional guidance and the advice of the Council’s officers.

To participate fully in the discharge of all the Committee’s functions, as set out in the Committee’s terms of reference and the constitution.

To promote the concept of proportionate, effective governance, risk management and internal control throughout the organisation; and to champion the work of Internal Audit, External Audit and Risk Management.

To participate in periodic review of the overall effectiveness of the Audit & Governance Committee, and of its terms of reference.

To attend briefings and training from Council officers and external providers in order to improve the effectiveness of the Committee and understand forthcoming issues.

Person Specification

Suitable applicants will be able to demonstrate the following qualities and characteristics:

Full AAT qualification in Accounting or equivalent by qualification OR significant relevant demonstrable accounting experience;

Up to date knowledge, skill and a depth of experience in the fields of audit, accounting, risk management and performance management;

Operating consistently and without bias and/or pre-determination;

Effective role model; supports appropriate behaviours and challenges opinions and advice where appropriate, separating major issues from minor ones;

Contributing proactive, proportionate and independent thought, and collaboration with officers to temper the opinions of Committee members;

Working sensitively with people inside and outside committee;

Listening to and balancing advice.

Eligibility

Independent members 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 compromise their impartiality;

have a close relationship with any Member or Officer of the Council.

The following persons cannot be an independent member:-

A serving Councillor or Officer (or the spouse or civil partner of a Councillor or Officer) of Luton Borough Council, any other County or County Borough Council, a Fire Authority, a National Park Authority, or a Community/ Town Council.

Former Councillors or Officers of Luton Borough Council. (5 five year break/gap is required)

Former Councillors or Officers of any other County or County Borough Council or Fire Authority until at least one year after ceasing to be a Councillor/Officer of that Authority.

Application: Further details about the responsibilities and functions of the Committee can be found in Part 2B to Section 2 (Governance) of the Council's Constitution:

https://www.luton.gov.uk/Council_government_and_democracy/Lists/LutonDocuments/PDF/Legal_Services_Division/Council_Constitution/Part-2-B-responsibility-for-functions.pdf

Examples of past meetings of the Council's Audit & Governance Committee can be found on the Committee pages of the Council's website:

https://democracy.luton.gov.uk/cmis5public/Committees/ActiveCommittees/tabid/119/ctl/ViewCMIS_CommitteeDetails/mid/524/id/1113/Default.aspxApplication:

For an informal chat about the role please contact the Chief Internal Auditor, Kanchan Vasisht on 01582 547285 or email [email protected]

Shortlisting for this role will take place w/c 28th August 2023.

Interviews for this role will take place w/c 4th September 2023.

Final appointments for this role are due to close place w/c 11th September 2023.