Recruitment Pack: Independent Person (AARC)
The closing date for applications is Midnight on 22 April 2025.
Appointment of Independent Person – Background Information
Cherwell District Council is seeking to appoint one Independent Person (IP), in line with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Audit Committee Guidance, who are suitably qualified with experience in the area of audit/governance and bring specialist knowledge and insight to the workings and deliberations of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to assist in the provision of independent assurance on the effectiveness of the control environment and corporate governance arrangements operating within the council. Full details of the role and responsibilities are included in this recruitment pack.
About Us
Cherwell District Council represents and provides services to the residents and businesses of Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington and the rural parishes of north Oxfordshire.
In 2024/25 our budget was £27.0m, which funds a wide range of services that the council provides, including:
1. Housing
2. Leisure and recreation
3. Planning and development
4. Waste and recycling collection
The council is composed of 48 elected councillors. Full council meets six times a year and approves the overall policies and annual budget of the council. The Executive comprises the leader and nine other councillors. It meets every month and makes all key decisions unless the issue has been specifically delegated to an individual executive member. Meetings are normally held at council’s offices at Castle Quay, Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Responsibilities of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (AARC)
Audit Committees are a key component of corporate governance. They are a key source of assurance about the organisation’s arrangements for managing risk, maintaining an effective control environment, and reporting on financial and non-financial performance.
The primary purpose of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee is to provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of the control environment and corporate governance arrangements operating within Cherwell District Council. This is achieved by:
1. reviewing the annual statement of accounts and annual governance statement;
2. considering reports received from the internal and external auditors on work completed;
3. monitoring the independence, objectivity and performance of the auditors;
4. considering the effectiveness of the authority’s risk management arrangements;
5. monitoring counter fraud plans and activities;
6. reviewing the council’s treasury management strategy and activities.
The committee’s responsibilities are set out in the terms of reference, which are contained in the council’s constitution. The committee reports annually regarding their work, to demonstrate how they have fulfilled their responsibilities.
What are Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee Independent Persons expected to do?
Independent co-opted persons are formally appointed to serve on the Council’s Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee for an agreed period of time. Independent Persons with appropriate skills and experience supplement those of the elected members and improve the effectiveness of the Audit Committee.
Independent Persons are expected to read agenda papers sent prior to each meeting, attend meetings and participate in questioning officers about the contents of reports prepared for the committee’s consideration. The Independent Person would not have a vote in the same way as councillors do at committee and will be at meetings in an advisory, consultative manner, fully involved in the discussions on issues coming before the Committee.
Independent co-opted persons may also be expected to attend training sessions and read other background information relevant to the working of the committee.
The Independent Person
A role profile is included as part of this pack. Among the skills and attributes required of an Independent Person are an interest in serving the local community and upholding local democracy, the ability to act with independence, tenacity and objectivity, and sound interpersonal, decision making and analytical skills. Independent Persons support the Council’s goals of being accountable, open, principled, and committed to equality opportunities.
We will provide support and training as necessary to enable Independent Persons to perform the role effectively. Independent Persons are not employees of Cherwell District Council and the post is not remunerated, although an annual allowance of £900 is paid and travel expenses can be claimed for attending meetings in person. The term of office is fixed for 4 years, renewable once.
We are unable to consider anyone who is, or has been within the last five years, a member, co-opted member or officer of Cherwell District Council or any of the Parish Councils within the District; or is a relative or close friend of a member, co-opted member or officer of Cherwell District Council or any of the Parish Councils within the District.
Interview and Closing Date
The closing date for applications is Midnight on 22 April 2025. Interview date (to be held virtually at time agreed with applicant): Tuesday 29 April. The appointment of Independent Persons will be subject to the formal approval of Full Council (a meeting of all 48 Cherwell District Council councillors) at its meeting on Monday 21 May 2025.
The appointment will be for a term of 4 years, commencing 21 May 2025 until the Annual Council in May 2029. Appointments may be renewed once, subject to the consent of the Independent Person and the approval of Full Council.
Documents
1. Independent Persons Role Profile
2. Application Form and Declaration
Primary Function
Assist in the independent assurance on the effectiveness of the control environment and corporate governance arrangements operating within the council.
Role Description, Specific Tasks and Responsibilities
As a co-opted member of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, in line with the Committee’s terms of reference:
1. reviewing the annual statement of accounts and annual governance statement;
2. considering reports received from the internal and external auditors on work completed;
3. monitoring the independence, objectivity and performance of the auditors;
4. considering the effectiveness of the authority’s risk management arrangements;
5. monitoring counter fraud plans and activities;
6. reviewing the council’s treasury management strategy and activities.
Essential Skills and Attributes Required
1. understands the importance of good governance and the responsibilities placed on those responsible for oversight of good governance;
2. shows an appreciation of the complex issues which can arise within any large and diverse organisation;
3. demonstrates a commitment to building a strong council with clearly articulated objectives and purpose;
4. has gained practical experience in financial or general management within a business or public sector environment;
5. understands the roles and purpose of internal and external audit;
6. understands the importance and benefits of good risk management;
7. demonstrates an understanding of the statutory duties and legislative requirements relevant to local government;
8. has good communication and interpersonal skills;
9. displays open-mindedness and impartiality;
10. is able to analyse, interpret and absorb information and evidence effectively and quickly;
11. understands and complies with confidentiality requirements;
12. ability to attend Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee meetings given stated in the calendar of meetings;
13. willingness to participate in training events and networks for Independent Persons to develop skills, knowledge and experience in the role.
Additional Desirable Skills / Knowledge
Previous audit committee (or equivalent) experience would be desirable but is not essential.
Please Note
A person may not be appointed/will be disqualified from serving as an Independent Person if they:
1. Are a Member, co-opted member or officer of Cherwell District Council.
2. Are a Member, co-opted member or officer of a town/parish council that falls within Cherwell District Council’s area.
3. Has been a Member, co-opted member of officer of Cherwell District Council or a town/parish council in the Council’s area in the previous five years.
4. A relative or close friend of a Member, co-opted member of an officer of Cherwell District Council.
5. Are a senior employee (in a politically restricted post) of another local authority.
6. Are the holder of any position within a political party at local, regional or national level.
7. Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
8. Have been convicted in the last 5 years of an offence with a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than 3 months without the option of a fine.
9. Are in debt to or in dispute with Cherwell District Council.
Terms of Appointment
1. The Independent Person will not be an employee of the Council.
2. The appointment of an Independent Person will be approved by a majority of Members of Full Council.
3. Appointment will be on a fixed basis agreed by Full Council for a period of four years, renewable once (by Full Council), with the agreement of the Independent Person.
4. Appointment will be terminable by the Council at any time in the event of:
1. Incapacity
2. Failure to comply with any reasonable training requirements
3. Persistent failure to be available for consultation without good reason
4. Failure to observe the standards reasonably expected from an Independent Person, including any activity which would conflict with the impartial nature of the appointment
5. Any of the reasons set out in section 4 of this role profile
6. The Council giving three months’ written notice
7. Any other reason / action which, in the view of the Council, is considered not to be commensurate with the expected standards of an Independent Person involved in the work of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee and warrants termination
The Independent Person may, by giving three months’ written notice to the Monitoring Officer, resign the appointment at any time. The Independent Person may decline to accept any renewal of a term of appointment.
The role of the Independent Person is not remunerated but an annual allowance of £900 (reviewed annually as part of the annual review of Member and co-optee allowances) is paid and travel expenses can be claimed for attending any necessary meetings in person.
Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer
March 2025
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