Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of the position of the Deputy Chairman of the Audit and Risk Management which, for the time being, was restricted (under Standing Order 29 (3)) from standing as Chairman of any other Committee.  Members were reminded that, with only a few exceptions, Chairman could not chair more than one Grand Committee at the same time. 

Members noted that, as the Committee had experienced difficulties in recruiting to a vacancy and, last year, in the appointment of a Chairman, the report suggested that lifting this restriction might raise interest in serving on the Committee and improve succession planning generally.  However, there was a consensus amongst Members for retaining the independence of the roles of both Chairman and Deputy Chairman and the restriction reflected CIPFA good practice.

There was a further discussion about the restrictions on External Members serving as Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, as was often the case in other local authorities.  Members were reminded that, as non-Court Members could not speak in the Court of Common Council, this restriction could not be lifted.  Members were also reminded of the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 which stated that External Members of a Committee, who were not Members of the Authority, would have no voting rights. 

Given the valued role of the Committee’s External Members, as evidenced by the Court’s approval to their serving second and third terms, Members felt that their hard work and contribution should be reflected by allowing the Audit and Risk Management Committee to elect a second Deputy Chairman from its External Membership.  Members also thought it timely to extend the Membership of the Committee by 1 Member, to widen the pool of Members who might be interested in serving as Deputy Chairman and Chairman.  Meanwhile, Members were encouraged to continue to promote the good work of the Committee and the opportunities to serve on it. 

RESOLVED, That:

The Policy and Resources Committee be asked to recommend, to the Court of Common Council that the Terms of Reference of the Audit and Risk Management Committee be amended to include:

1.         A second Deputy Chairman, appointed from the External Membership of the Committee.

2.         An additional Member to the Audit and Risk Management Committee.