Appointment of Independent Persons to the Audit and Governance Committee and Independent Advisory Committee

Published Wednesday, 11th November 2020

Under the Localism Act, 2011, the Borough Council is required to appoint Independent Persons.

It is part of its arrangements in the promotion and maintenance of high standards of conduct affecting its Elected Members and those members of a Parish Council within its area.

In addition, the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 provide an additional formal statutory role for Independent Persons, requiring them to work together as an Independent Advisory Panel in advising the Council prior to any vote on whether to dismiss the Council’s Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer, (‘Protected Officers’). Under these regulations, the Advisory Panel must contain at least two Independent Persons.

Applications are therefore invited from members of the public to undertake the role of Independent Persons as noted above, particularly from those with experience in either a regulatory, commercial, financial, professional or voluntary sector with an interest in the proper and effective ethical and good governance of an organisation.

Training will be provided and reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be payable.

Applicants should not within the past five years have been an Elected Member, Co-opted Member or Officer of the Borough Council or of a Parish Council within the Council’s area, or a relative or close friend of such persons.

An application pack, including an application form and role description, is available upon request from Angela Armstrong, Scrutiny and Legal Support Officer, on 01429 284171 or email angela.armstrong@hartlepool.gov.uk

For an informal discussion about these posts please contact Hayley Martin, Hartlepool Borough Council Chief Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, on 01429 523003.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 15th January 2021 and interviews will be held in March.

Completed applications should be returned to:

Hayley Martin

Chief Solicitor and Monitoring Officer

Hartlepool Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Road

Hartlepool

TS24 8AY

hayley.martin@hartlepool.gov.uk