Job description: Independent member of Audit and Governance committee

Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority has an Audit and Governance Committee whose role is to: 

Provide the Authority with: 

  • Assurance on the arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards;
  • An independent and high level focus on audit, assurance, reporting arrangements, risk management, treasury management and control frameworks. 

Oversee: 

  • The financial reporting (final statement of accounts) and annual governance processes; 
  • Internal audit and external audit, helping to ensure effective relationships exist and efficient and effective assurance arrangements are in place;
  • Internal controls;
  • Risk Management;
  • Treasury Management.

The Audit and Governance Committee operates in compliance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA) good practice guidance and Position Statements 2018. 

Job purpose

The Independent Member on the Audit and Governance Committee brings a wide range of knowledge, experience and expertise in areas such as corporate governance, finance, risk management and audit.  The Independent Member will demonstrate an ability to establish good working relationships with Elected Members and Officers but remain objective and politically independent with the ability to analyse information.

Key responsibilities 

  • consider the Authority’s corporate governance arrangements against recognised best practice.
  • demonstrate independence, integrity, objectivity and impartiality in decision-making according to legal, constitutional and policy requirements. 
  • be an independent source of support to the Committee providing external challenge and scrutiny in response to reports presented to it.
  • attend and actively participate in meetings of the Committee.  
  • prepare for each meeting by reading the agenda papers and additional information to familiarise yourself with the issues under discussion.

Knowledge and skills

  • experience of attending public meetings.
  • knowledge and understanding of public sector finances, risk management, corporate governance and the roles of internal and external audit.
  • good analytical skills with the ability to scrutinise complex information and processes to challenge appropriately.
  • a good understanding of governance, risk management and control.
  • integrity, objectivity, discretion and the ability to make decisions.
  • good interpersonal and communication skills and ability to contribute to discussions.
  • an understanding of the political environment that the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority operates within.