Issue - meetings

This report asks Council to approve the appointment of two independent co‑opted persons to the Audit & Governance (A&G) Committee, in line with CIPFA best practice guidance that encourages the inclusion of independent perspectives to strengthen local authority audit functions.

Independent persons will enhance the committee’s effectiveness by providing impartial challenge, additional expertise and assurance on governance and financial matters, without holding voting rights.

BCP Council adopted best practice in 2023 when it first introduced independent person to the A&G Committee, the tenure of the first two incumbents came to an end on 31/3/2026.

The Constitution stipulates that without formal delegation only Council can approve to co-opt individuals onto respective Council Committees; there is currently no such delegation in place for the A&G Committee.  

A comprehensive recruitment and selection process has been undertaken, including open advertisement, shortlisting, and formal interviews conducted by a cross-party panel of councillors, agreed by A&G committee. From nine initial applicants, four candidates were shortlisted and interviewed using a consistent scoring methodology. The panel reached unanimous agreement on the two highest-ranked candidates, following independent scoring and due diligence checks to confirm their independence and suitability.

The proposed appointments are for an initial term covering the 2026/27 and 2027/28 municipal years, with an option to extend for up to two further years. Both candidates have provisionally accepted the roles, subject to formal endorsement by full Council. Following approval, onboarding arrangements will include induction, system access, and compliance with the Members’ Code of Conduct and declaration requirements.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendix at Appendix 1 the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session].

The Vice Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Council was requested to approve the appointment of two independent co‑opted persons to the Audit & Governance (A&G) Committee, in line with CIPFA best practice guidance that encourages the inclusion of independent perspectives to strengthen local authority audit functions.

In relation to this Council was advised that independent persons would enhance the committee’s effectiveness by providing impartial challenge, additional expertise and assurance on governance and financial matters, without holding voting rights.

Council was advised that BCP Council adopted best practice in 2023 when it first introduced independent person to the A&G Committee, and that the tenure of the first two incumbents came to an end on 31/3/2026, and that the Constitution stipulated that without formal delegation only Council could approve to co-opt individuals onto respective Council Committees; there is currently no such delegation in place for the A&G Committee.  

Further to this Council was informed that a comprehensive recruitment and selection process had been undertaken, including open advertisement, shortlisting, and formal interviews conducted by a cross-party panel of councillors, agreed by A&G committee, and that from nine initial applicants, four candidates were shortlisted and interviewed using a consistent scoring methodology, following which the panel had reached unanimous agreement on the two highest-ranked candidates, following independent scoring and due diligence checks to confirm their independence and suitability.

Council was advised that the proposed appointments were for an initial term covering the 2026/27 and 2027/28 municipal years, with an option to extend for up to two further years. Both candidates have provisionally accepted the roles, subject to formal endorsement by full Council, and that following approval, onboarding arrangements will include induction, system access, and compliance with the Members’ Code of Conduct and declaration requirements.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)            the current tenure period of two municipal years plus a mutually agreed option to extend for two further years, remains fit for purpose;

(b)           the latest appointments are therefore for 26/27, 27/28, with the option to extend to 28/29 and 29/30;

(c)           Council approved the appointment of the two candidates recommended by the A&G convened panel; and 

(d)           Council delegates future appointments of A&G Committee Independent Persons, to the A&G Committee.  

Voting: Unanimous

Following this item the Chairman advised Council that given the late hour the remaining business on the agenda would be deferred and considered at the Extraordinary Council meeting scheduled for 11 August 2026.