Full Council                                                                 20 July 2023

 

Report of the Director of Governance

(Portfolio of the Executive Leader)

 

Independent Person – Audit & Governance Committee

 

Summary

 

1.           This report seeks Council’s approval to provisionally extend the term of office of the currently appointed independent person on the Audit & Governance Committee for a further 2 years.

       
Recommendations

 

2.    To extend the current term of office of the Independent Person (Mr Joe Leigh) appointed to Audit & Governance Committee for a further 2 years on the proviso that Mr Leigh provide up to 3 months’ notice should he wish to resign from the office.

       

Reason:       To ensure continuity of office for the immediate future.

 

Background

 

3.           Mr Leigh was initially appointed to the role of Independent Person for 1 year on the basis that his primary commitment to the Council was as an Independent Person sitting on Joint Standards Committee and performing both roles was a significant time commitment.  Although supporting Joint Standards Committee remains Mr Leigh’s main objective, he has kindly agreed to retain his position on Audit & Governance Committee for a further 2 years, subject to Council approval.   

 

4.           It should be noted that Mr Leigh is under no obligation to complete this term, however, and may choose to resign at any point in time, as can any other appointed independent person.  However, Mr Leigh has kindly indicated that he will give 3 months’ notice should he wish to resign. 

 

5.           There remains one outstanding vacancy for a second independent person on Audit & Governance Committee, which the Council will seek to fill as soon as possible.

 
Consultations
 
6.           The Council is now being consulted on the proposed extension to Mr Leigh’s appointment.  
 
Options
 

7.           The Council can decide to extend Mr Leigh’s appointment or not. 

 

Analysis

 

8.           If Council chooses not to extend Mr Leigh’s appointment, that will leave 2 full vacancies for independent persons on the Committee, which the Council would need to seek to fill.  

 

Council Plan and Policy Framework

 

9.           The Council is currently putting together its new Council Plan to support the work of the newly elected Administration moving forward.  Securing independent persons on specific Committees meets legislative guidance or good practice and helps Councillors to fulfil their objectives whilst having their practices robustly challenged and reviewed.

 

Implications

 

10.        There are no known other implications arising from the recommendations in the report other than legal requirements relating to the statutory appointment of independent persons.

 

Risk Management

 

11.        If the Council do not appoint an Independent Persons to Audit & governance Committee, it would fail to meet good practice requirements relating to independent challenge surrounding its governance arrangements.

 

  

 

Contact Details

 

Author: Dawn Steel

Chief Officer Responsible for the report: Bryn Roberts

Job Title: Head of Democratic & Scrutiny Services

Job Title: Director of Governance

Dept Name: Governance

 

 

Report Approved

Yes

Date

12/7/23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialist Implications Officer(s) Frances Harrison, Head of Legal Services

 

 

Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all

All

√

 

 

For further information please contact the author of the report

 

 

Background Papers:

None

 

Annexes

None

 

Abbreviations used in this report

None