Independent Audit Committee Member

Independent Audit Committee Member (Co-opted, Non-Voting) Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Remuneration: £242 per meeting + expenses Term: minimum of 2-years The Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk is seeking to appoint one or more Co-opted Independent Members to its Audit Committee. This is a vital role that strengthens the Council's governance, risk management and financial oversight. As stated in the recruitment pack, the Audit Committee "provides independent assurance and high level focus on the adequacy of governance, risk, and control arrangements" and plays a key part in ensuring transparency and accountability across the Council and its companies. If you have expertise in audit, finance, governance or risk-and the independence of mind to provide objective challenge-we would be delighted to hear from you., Independent Members sit alongside elected councillors on the Audit Committee (non-voting). You will:

• Offer constructive challenge, insight and objective scrutiny in a politically neutral manner
• Apply your experience in audit, risk, governance or financial reporting
• Support the Committee's oversight of internal and external audit, financial statements, and governance arrangements
• Uphold the Council's Code of Conduct and the Nolan Principles of Public Life, particularly integrity and accountability ("Abide by the Council's Code of Conduct and the Nolan Seven Principles of Public Life…")., Minimum 5 formal meetings per year, held in person at King's Lynn Town Hall
• Meetings typically start at 4.30pm
• Additional training sessions (mostly online)
• Preparatory reading before each meeting
• Term of appointment: minimum of 2-year, extension to be considered as part of Local Government Reorganisation
Remuneration
• £242 per meeting attended
• Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses reimbursed in line with Council policy
  
  Understanding of audit, financial reporting and governance
• Knowledge of risk management and internal control systems
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Experience of committees or board-level governance
• Political independence and objectivity
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of and commitment to Equality and Diversity
Desirable:
• Professional qualifications (e.g., CIPFA, ICAEW, ACCA)
• Knowledge of local government and community links
Eligibility Applicants must be fully independent of the Council. You cannot apply if you:
• Are a current or recent (within 5 years) councillor or officer
• Are closely related to a councillor or officer
• Have been convicted of an offence resulting in imprisonment of 3 months or more
• Are bankrupt or have outstanding Council debts
• Have commercial or political interests that could conflict with the role ("Applicants must not… have commercial interests with the Council or links to political groups").