Independent Member (Audit Committee) Job Ref IM/02
A new body, that makes sure that the Authority’s arrangements for managing its business are as effective as possible, is looking for an additional Independent member of the public to join its Audit Committee.
The Authority’s Chair, Cllr Neil Swannick says that the establishment of an Audit Committee is one the first and important steps in transforming the Authority’s governance arrangements and the incorporation of an Independent Chair and member will have an important role in demonstrating that the authority is well run.
The GMWDA is the local authority responsible for disposing of around 1.2m tonnes per annum of municipal waste from 9 district authorities (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford). It comprises of elected Members who represent those authorities and Wigan (which is currently an administrative body).
The Authority has recently let a 25 year PFI Recycling and Waste Management Contract to Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Ltd. That Contract will see £631m of investment in state of art waste management facilities, and is worth around £3.8bn over the 25 years. It is considered to be the largest waste management contract in Western Europe.
The Audit Committee will be responsible for promoting excellence in governance, risk management, financial reporting and performance. Uniquely, this body will not only be responsible for the conventional aspects of an Audit Committee, such as scrutinising the accounts to ensure that public money is spent wisely, but it will also play an important role in respect of the Authority’s role of lender into its own PFI project. This involves loaning £103 million to the project. The Authority envisages that this Committee will be the place where reports being prepared by the PFI Service Provider Operator to its lender are considered.
Skills or experience of finance or accounting are valuable, but equally important is the ability to ask challenging questions and probe complex issues. Appointments will be for a term of four years in which you’ll be asked to attend 4 meetings a year and whilst not remunerated, reasonable expenses will be paid.
GMWDA promotes an equal opportunities policy. Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, region, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have any dependents.
For an informal chat about the role you can speak to John Bland, Treasurer and Deputy Clerk on 0161 770 1747.
Closing date: 11th March 2010
Further information can be obtained from Sarah Mellor, Principal Governance Officer,GMWDA, Medtia Chambers, Barn Street,
Oldham, OL1 1LP Tel: 0161 770 1790
Email: sarah.mellor@gmwda.gov.uk
Person Specification:person_specification.doc
Supporting Information: supporting_info_audit_committee.doc
Application Form: job_app_form.doc
Guidelines for Application Form: gmwda_guidance_notes.pdf