1.       REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

1.1     The Council’s Constitution makes provision for the co-option of an Independent Member to the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee.  This is in line with best practice and with guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

1.2     The Independent Member will be in addition to the two Parish Representatives who already sit on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee.  Like the Parish Representatives, the Independent Member will not have voting rights.

1.3     In order to ensure that a wide range of potential candidates was alerted to the opportunity, the role was advertised on LinkedIn, PF Jobs and the Council’s own website.  Two applications were received, both from candidates who met the criteria for the role.  A panel comprising the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee and the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement met the candidates.

1.4     Both candidates seen by the panel submitted strong applications and performed well in interview.  On the basis of a structured interview assessment, the panel agreed unanimously to recommend to the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee that the preferred candidate (Mr David Dobbs) be put forward to the Council for co-option and this recommendation was agreed by the Committee.

2.    ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND WHY NOT RECOMMENDED

2. 

2.1   The Council could choose not to accept the recommendation of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee and agree that the recruitment process should start again, but the preferred candidate has excellent experience, of considerable relevance for the Committee, and meets the requirements for the role.

3.        REPORT APPENDICES

        None

4.    BACKGROUND PAPERS

        None