AUDIT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED INDEPENDENT MEMBERS

The Council is looking to recruit two co-opted independent members of the Audit Committee with one Member to Chair the Values and Ethics Subcommittee. The Values and Ethics Sub-committee usually meets on the same days as the Audit committee.

The successful applicants will need to be available to attend approximately 7
meetings of the Audit Committee in any year and any associated training and development events. We expect that applicants will need to be able to attend a combination of virtual and physical meetings. Applicants will need to be  contactable throughout the year. The appointment will be made for an initial period of four years and may be extended for a further 2 years subject to satisfactory performance.

Applicants 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 Commit Qualification in or experience of Financial, Accounting, Audit or Business Management are essential.

Co-opted independent members should not be (or have been, within the last five years) an Elected Member or employee of Bristol City Council; or any of its wholly owned companies.

Co-opted independent members should not be (or have been, within the last five years) a Councillor/Elected Member with any other Local Authority (including town or parish councils).

Co-opted independent members should not be affiliated with any political party, or have been affiliated, within the last five years.

The council seeks to reflect and represent all its residents and welcomes applications from the local community.

The co-opted independent member is not a job vacancy; should you be appointed you will not be an employee of the Council. The successful applicant will receive specific training to enable them to undertake their new role effectively.

As an independent member of the Audit Committee, you would entitled to an annual allowance of £1,779 per annum. Payments will rise in line with any future inflationary pay increases awarded to employees, as set out in the Council’s Member Allowances Scheme and Schedule of Special Responsibility Allowances.

The Chair of the Values and Ethics Sub-committee will receive an additional allowance of £1,186 per annum.

Travel expenses will be payable as set out in the Member Allowances Scheme.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Following a public referendum in May 2022, our governance arrangements have recently changed from a Mayor and Cabinet model to a committee system.

The council's committee system is led by 70 Councillors, representing 34 wards.

Councillor Tony Dyer has been appointed as the Leader of the Council.

Under the committee system and rules set out in our Constitution, decisions are taken by either:

• Full Council
• Policy Committees
• Regulatory Committees
• Area Committees
• Other committees, such as the Downs Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board
• Council officers

The new committee structure includes 8 policy committees that broadly align to one of the council's Corporate Strategy themes.

The Audit Committee is a key component of the Council’s arrangements to support good governance. It provides
i. an independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards;
ii. independent review of the Council’s governance, risk management, control frameworks and oversees the financial reporting and annual governance processes; and
iii. promotes 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 Audit Committee, like all of the Council’s Committees, must be politically
balanced. However, the success of the Audit Committee depends upon its ability to remain apolitical. It must adopt a non-political approach to its meetings and discussions at all times.

INDEPENDENT MEMBER ROLE PROFILE

INDEPENDENT MEMBER PERSON SPECIFICATION

The co-option of independent members will help to bring additional knowledge
and expertise to the committee and 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 taken into account by voting members of the committee.

Where the Council has delegated to the Committee decisions such as the adoption of financial statements, the independent member will not be able to vote on those matters.

The detailed functions in respect of governance, risk and control; internal audit;
external audit; financial reporting; accountability arrangements; related functions and standards arrangements can be found in the Council’s constitution. The detailed functions of the Values and Ethics Subcommittee can also be found here:

AUDIT COMMITTEE ToR.pdf

1. To promote and support the good governance of the Council and its affairs
2. To promote and support open and transparent governance
3. To provide support and encouragement to new Councillors
4. To be committed to the values of the Council
5. To be committed to the values expected of those in public office, established in the Seven Principles of Public Life:
 Selflessness
 Integrity
 Objectively
 Accountability
 Openness
 Honesty
 Leadership

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following
1. Good advocacy skills: able to present relevant and well-reasoned arguments,
and provide effective and constructive challenge
2. Ability to set aside own views and always remain open-minded, objective, and impartial and act with integrity
3. Ability to analyse, interpret and absorb information and evidence effectively and quickly
4. Good communication and interpersonal skills; a confident public speaker

BEHAVIOUR and CODE OF CONDUCT

5. Ability and willingness to challenge ideas and contribute positively to policy
development
6. Understanding the role of officers, members and other agencies and ability to
have constructive and challenging dialogue with other Members and Officers
7. Respect for, and desire to work with different groups and individuals with a
commitment to supporting continual improvement and development within the
Council
8. Qualification and/or Practical experience in financial management/accountancy within the public or private sector
9. Understanding of and compliance with confidentiality requirements

 Demonstrating the following would be desirable:
10. Knowledge and understanding of Council meeting rules and conventions
11. Understanding of delegated powers
12. Understanding of strategic, policy and service contexts for decisions, focusing on material issues
13. An understanding of the roles and purpose of Internal and External Audit

Whilst operating as a member of the Audit Committee, co-opted independent
members are expected to follow the Nolan Principles of Standards in Public Life, which form the basis of the elected Member’s Code of Conduct.

For information, a copy of the current code of conduct can be found here;
Part 5.1 - LGA Member Code of Conduct - May 2024.pdf

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit your application form to:
Tim O’Gara, Director of Legal and Democratic services
Tim.ogara@bristol.gov.uk

Selection of candidates will be strictly in accordance with the role description and role specification outlined in this pack and will be based on the information contained in your application only, as supported by references.

Acknowledgements

Your application will be acknowledged, and you will be advised as to whether you have been selected for interview or not in due course.

Selection

Short listing for this appointment will be based upon an assessment of how
applicants meet the criteria in the ‘Person Specification’ as evidenced by the application.

It is suggested therefore that you include information on how you meet the criteria.

The Interview Panel may include both Members and officers of the Council.
Referees Please note that your two referees will be contacted without further notice to you unless you indicate to the contrary.

Please refer to the attached Application Pack to continue your application. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 31st March 2025.