2025Shire of Carnarvon - Audit and Risk Committee Independent Chair

Audit & Risk Committee - Independent Chair

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMITTEE

The primary objective of the Audit and Risk Committee (the Committee) is to accept responsibility for the annual external audit and liaise with the Shires auditor and CEO so that Council can be satisfied with the performance of the Shire of Carnarvon (the Shire) in managing its financial affairs and risk matters.

Reports from the Committee will assist Council in discharging its legislative responsibilities of controlling the Shires affairs determining the Shires policies overseeing the allocation of its finances and resources and mitigating risk where possible. The Committee will ensure openness in the Shires financial reporting and will liaise with the CEO to ensure the efficient and effective management of the Shires financial and accounting systems risk management systems and compliance with legislation.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Committee will consist of a minimum of five 5 members including one 1 Independent person who will be the Chair of the Committee plus four 4 Elected Members of Council. All members shall have full voting rights.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Appointment of Elected Members will be reviewed biennially immediately following Local Government elections unless by a decision of Council an interim appointment is required.

Appointment of an Independent Chair shall be for a maximum of 2 two years endorsed by the Council following public advertisement and recruitment. Council will take into consideration the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee regarding suitable candidates but will not be bound by any recommendation. The term of the appointment of the Independent Chair should be arranged to align with the beginning of the financial year to ensure continuity of

membership despite potential changes to the Councils elected representatives at the Local Government Election.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Independent Chair will have advanced accounting business or financial management/reporting knowledge and experience and be conversant with the financial and other reporting requirements. The recruitment of the Independent Chair will be conducted by the Committee. The Committee will make a recommendation to Council for the appointment of the preferred candidate. Recommendations will take into consideration the candidates work experience and their likely ability to apply appropriate analytical strategic financial and management skills.

The Chair of the Committee is expected to understand and observe the requirements of the Local Government Act 1995 the Local Government (Audit) Regulations 1996 and other relevant legislation.

The Chair is also expected to:

Make themselves available as required to attend and participate in meetings

Contribute the time needed to review and understand information provided

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

Have strong leadership qualities and

Lead effective committee meetings.

To be considered for this role the applicant must meet the independence criteria. The nature of independence with regard to an Independent Chair is a person with no operating responsibilities or associations with the Shire of Carnarvon. Associations refer to commitment and paid services to the Shire directly or indirectly for example sporting clubs regional committees and participation on other Council committees. The exclusion does not include candidates who are associated only by virtue of being a ratepayer.

The Independent Chair cannot:

Currently be an Elected Member of the Shire of Carnarvon

Be a person who has held office in the Council during its previous term

Be currently employed by the Shire or been employed during the last 12 months

Conduct audits of the Shire on behalf of the Office of the Auditor General

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

Currently or within the last three years provided any material goods or services (including consultancy legal internal audit and advisory services) to the Shire which directly affect subjects or issues considered by the 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 Shire or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest or

The Chair is expected to be highly skilled possessing leadership qualities high communication skills and a proven ability to

Principles of good organisational governance

Public sector accountability

Financial reporting

Internal audit operations

Risk management principles

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

In addition to independence to be considered for the role the Independent Chair of the Committee should be appropriately qualified and should be able to demonstrate a range of skills and experience that will enable them to fulfil their role in line with the Terms of Reference. A high level of financial and business literacy is desirable.

Other relevant skills and experience across the following areas are also highly desirable:

Local government / public sector

Internal audit and external audit

Risk management

Governance

Performance management

Financial management and reporting

Accounting

Human resources management

Internal control frameworks

Fraud and prevention

IT/cyber security

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Committee shall meet at least four times per year (quarterly) with the standard duration for a meeting being two hours. If necessary additional meetings will be held with the approval of the Chair and Members.

Preparation will involve reviewing and critical analysis of the agenda and associated documents.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Committees role is to review aspects of Councils operation and provide advice and guidance to Council for the purpose of improving the performance of its functions. The minutes of the Committee are to be reported to Council. On an annual basis the Chair will provide a consolidated Audit and Risk Committee Report to Council.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Independent Chair will be required to comply with the Shire of Carnarvon Code of Conduct for Council Members Committee Members and Candidates for Election and relevant policies at all times.

INDUCTION AND TRAINING

The Independent Chair will receive relevant information and briefings on their appointment to assist them to meet their responsibilities.

REMUNERATION FOR MEETINGS

The remuneration for the Independent Chair will be $1665.66 per meeting plus superannuation in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST SUBMISSION

Council invites interested persons to submit an Expression of Interest.

All applications should include a cover letter demonstrating their suitability for the position and a brief resume.

Applications should be marked to the attention of the CEO and emailed to prior to its close on Thursday 31 July 2025.

Enquiries

All enquiries or requests for information should be directed to Amanda Dexter Chief Executive Officer Shire of Carnarvon via email at

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