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Vacancy for Independent Member of the Audit Conduct Committee

Annual Allowance: £750

Closing date 10 August 2026 at 9:00am

The Council is looking for a local person, unaffiliated to the Council’s political groups and with no connection with the Council, to sit on our Audit Committee, as a second Independent Member. The Audit Committee provides challenge and assurance on the Council’s control environment, mainly focusing on risk and financial issues, to support the Council in ensuring that it is well managed and able to deliver its priorities.

This is an opportunity to make a contribution on a key committee of the Council which has had its profile raised and remit refreshed following a review of its governance arrangements. As a Council in the midst of the Local Government Reorganisation process and delivery a Best Value Improvement and Recovery Plan the Committee makes an important contribution to ensuring that there is a focus on improving governance.

The Committee currently meets six times a year usually on a Thursday evening at 7pm, usually with an informal training/briefing session commencing at 6pm. You will sit with elected councillors, and one existing independent member and bring an informed and independent perspective to the Committee.  

This is a role which carries public responsibility. You should be a person with experience of working in an organisation at a senior level or have other experience which would give similar experiences. Financial management experience (accountancy, audit or management of a large budget) would be advantageous.

You will be appointed for a term ending on 31 March 2027.

In order to be eligible to apply for the position, applicants must not:

• Be a councillor or officer of Spelthorne Borough Council or have been so in the preceding five years prior to appointment
• Be related to, or a close friend of, any councillor or officer of Spelthorne Borough Council
• Have been convicted of any offence 
• Be an undischarged bankrupt
• Have significant business dealings with Spelthorne Borough Council
• Have a formal connection with any political group (past or present)
• Have a proven history of vexatious and/or frivolous complaints against Spelthorne Borough Council
• Have council tax, business rates arrears or other outstanding debts owing to Spelthorne Borough Council
• Be the holder of a significant office in an organisation being grant aided/supported by Spelthorne Borough Council

If you are interested in becoming an Independent Member of the Audit Committee, please apply by completing the application form attached. There is an annual allowance of £750 for the role. 

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Linda Heron, Monitoring Officer on 01784 446248 or Terry Collier Chief Finance Officer on 01784 446296.

The closing date for applications is 10 August 2026 at 9:00am

Please return the application form attached below to Linda Heron, (L.Heron@spelthorne.gov.uk) Group Head of Corporate Governance, Spelthorne Borough Council, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1XB.