Independent Member: Audit and Risk Committee (Non-Staff)

Cessnock City Council (Council) is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals for the appointment as an Independent Member of Council’s Audit and Risk Committee (Committee) for a period of four (4) years commencing 1 May 2024.

Cessnock City Council provides a diverse range of services and facilities for the residents within the local government area, as well as visitors. We employ approximately 400 employees and are situated within the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, approximately 120 kilometres north of Sydney and 40 kilometres west of Newcastle.

The committee supports Council in discharging its oversight responsibilities related to financial and performance reporting, risk management, fraud prevention, internal controls, and assurance activities including internal and external Audit and compliance with its policies and legal obligations. It performs its role by monitoring, reviewing, endorsing and advising Council on matters set out in its charter, Cessnock City Council Committee Charter

Members of the committee are expected to understand and observe the requirements of the Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW. Members are also expected to:

• Make themselves available as required to attend and participate in meetings.
• Contribute the time needed to review and understand information provided to it.
• Apply good analytical skills, objectivity, and judgement.
• Act in the best interests of the Council.
• Have the personal courage to raise and deal with tough issues, express opinions frankly, ask questions that go to the fundamental core of the issue and pursue independent lines of inquiry.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the Council.
• Maintain confidentiality in relation to all discussions and information obtained during or as a result of meetings.
• Acknowledge, and comply with Council's Code of Conduct

Committee Membership: The Committee consists of three Independent Members (one of whom is the Chairperson) and two Councillors.

Meetings: The Audit and Risk Committee meets on a quarterly basis on a Wednesday in Cessnock. An additional special meeting is held in October each year. It is preferred all Committee members attend each meeting in person, although in certain circumstances members can attend remotely.

Term of Appointment: Four years.

Selection Criteria: Independent members of the Audit and Risk Committee must demonstrate the following:

• An ability to read and understand financial statements and a capacity to understand the broad requirements and responsibilities of Local Government.
• Functional knowledge in areas such as risk management, performance management, human resources management, internal and external auditing, financial reporting, accounting, management control frameworks, internal financial controls, cyber security and IT Governance, Corporate Governance (including planning, reporting and oversight), or business operations
• A capacity to form independent judgements and willingness to constructively question practices.
• Can function as an Independent Member of the committee who is willing to challenge the status-quo and the prevailing consensus to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
• Professional, ethical approach to the exercise of their duties and the capacity to devote the necessary time and effort to the responsibilities of an Independent Member of an Audit and Risk Committee

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for appointment to the role of Independent Member a person must not:

• currently be a councillor of any NSW council
• be a non-voting representative of the board of the joint organisation
• be a candidate at the last election of the council
• be a person who has held office in the council during its previous term
• be currently employed by the council or joint organisation, or been employed during the last 12 months
• conduct audits of the council on behalf of the Audit Office of NSW
• have a close personal or business relationship with a councillor or a person who has a senior role in the council that may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest
• currently, or within the last three years, provided any material goods or services (including consultancy, legal, internal Audit and advisory services) to the council which directly affect subjects or issues considered by the Audit and Risk Committee
• be (or have a close family member who is) a substantial shareholder, owner, officer or employee of a company that has a material business, contractual relationship, direct financial interest or material indirect financial interest with the council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest, or
• currently or have previously acted as an advocate of a material interest on behalf of the council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest.

$7,500 per annum (ex. GST), including travel for all meetings.

Lisa Ollerton, Internal Auditor on 02 4993 4***

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Please complete the application form below and provide detailed responses to the questions which relate to the essential and desirable criteria within the role description, then upload a copy of your resume and cover letter. Your candidate suitability is determined by your responses to the selection criteria, for more information on how to address the selection criteria please visit our How to apply page

Guided by staff values of integrity, respect, teamwork, accountability and excellence, Cessnock City Council is indeed an attractive, thriving Council and employer of choice.