Expression of Interest Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Expression of Interest Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Liverpool City Council is positioned to lead its community through immense change over the next 10 years. With a rapidly increasing population, the construction of Western Sydney Airport and the development of Liverpool's city centre as an innovative health, education and lifestyle precinct, Council is committed to continual collaboration with residents and stakeholders.

The Liverpool City Council ARIC was established under the Local Government Act 1993 as an advisory committee of Council to provide independent assurance on risk management, control, governance and external accountability.

The Committee provides independent oversight of Council’s risk management, control, governance and external accountability. Council’s Internal Audit function reports to the Committee.

Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

The objective of the Committee is to provide independent assistance to Liverpool City Council by monitoring, reviewing and providing advice about the organisation’s governance processes, risk management and control frameworks and its external accountability obligations.

The Committee memberships comprises of two Councillors (Deputy Mayor and nominated Councillor) and three independent members. The Committee is chaired by an independent member.

Two vacancies will shortly arise on the committee following the natural expiration of terms. It is Council’s attention to recruit and appoint these positions ahead of the October 2022 ARIC meeting. Positions may be awarded for terms of 3-5 years to allow independent continuity in the committee.

Expression of Interest

Council invites suitably qualified individuals to provide an Expression of Interest by submitting the below online application including a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and your CV by 15.00 pm on Friday 27 May 2022. Your CV or cover letter must include the name and contact details for two referees in support of your Expression of Interest.

Selection Criteria

The independent members of the Committee, taken collectively, will have a broad range of personal attributes, and professional skills and experience relevant to the operations of Council.

Collectively, the members of the Committee will have a strong background in accountancy or financial management, and/or audit, with an understanding of accounting and auditing standards in a public sector environment. They will also collectively have senior/executive level legal, governance, risk management, information technology and performance management experience.

The following criteria will be used when assessing applications:

• Combined experience and diversity of the Committee;
• Relevant professional qualifications and/or significant experience in one or more of the following areas: business administration, risk management, assurance, financial management or law;
• Understanding of and/or experience in the public sector;
• Understanding of the role of corporate governance in organisations; and
• Relevant experience on similar committees in the local government, broader public or private sectors.

Appointment of Committee Members

Council will appoint ARIC members following an Expression of Interest and interview process. Terms of appointment will be in accordance with the Committee Charter.

Roles and responsibilities

The Committee is an advisory committee of Council and has no executive powers unless authorised by legislation or by a Council resolution.

The Committee is directly responsible and accountable to the Governing Body for the exercise of its responsibilities. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee shall at all times recognise that primary responsibility for management of the Council rests with the governing body of Council.

The Committee is able to investigate any activity that is within this charter and is able to seek any Council information (except that which is covered under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994) from any employee of Council, within the scope of its responsibilities.

The Committee is able to seek independent professional advice.

The responsibilities of the Committee may be revised or expanded in consultation with, or as requested by, the Governing Body from time to time.

The Committee’s responsibilities as outlined in the Charter include broadly:

• Risk management
• Financial management and performance management
• Governance, Compliance and fraud control
•  Internal audit
• External audit
• Any other matters prescribed by regulations and the Charter

Members are expected to

• Understand and observe the requirements of the NSW Audit & Risk Management guidelines for Local Council;
• make themselves available as required to attend and participate in meetings;
• contribute the time needed to study and understand the papers provided;
• apply good analytical skills, objectivity and good judgement;
• abide by the relevant ethical codes; and
• express opinions, frankly, ask questions that go to the fundamental core of the issue and pursue independent lines of enquiry. 

Meetings

The Committee will meet at least four (4) times per year. A special meeting may be held to review the Council’s annual financial statements.

The chair is required to call a meeting if requested to do so by the Governing Body, or another Committee member.

An 18-month Work Plan, including meeting dates and agenda items, will be reviewed by the Committee on an annual basis. The meeting plan will cover all of the Committee’s responsibilities as detailed in this charter.

Obligations/Constraints

• Committee members are required to comply with the following requirements:
• Council’s Code of Conduct;
• ARIC Terms of Reference;
• Maintaining confidentiality in relation to all discussions and information obtained during or as a result of meetings;
• Ensuring all conflicts of interest are declared and recorded in Meeting Minutes and, if necessary, appropriate action taken if a conflict is declared.

Remuneration

Remuneration for an independent member of the ARIC is $2,090 (excluding GST) per meeting. This rate is inclusive of time spent on preparation for the meeting, travel time and travel expenses. 

Induction and briefing session
Members will be provided with a briefing session prior to their first ARIC meeting.

Independent Member Information Package

Please read the Liverpool City Council Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Charter to familiarise yourself with all the requirements and conditions of the role.

Enquiries

All enquiries or requests for information should be directed to George Hampouris, Head of Audit, Risk and Improvement at hampourisg@liverpool.nsw.gov.au or 8711 7776.

Applications close: 27 May 2022