Become a Lay Member

Bridgend County Borough Council, along with other Local authorities across Wales, is currently looking to appoint Lay Persons to its Governance and Audit Committee. 

View the Lay member job description

These statutory committees are a key component of a Local Authority’s governance framework and improvement programme.  The purpose of the Governance and Audit Committee is to provide independent assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk management framework, internal control environment, performance assessment, complaints handling and integrity of the financial reporting and governance processes.  By overseeing both internal and external audit, it makes an important contribution to ensuring that effective assurance arrangements are in place.

The meetings are currently being held remotely which makes Lay Person participation within Governance and Audit Committees easier.  

The Committee meets approximately six times a year and Lay Persons (Independent Members) receive financial remuneration for attendance.  

Remuneration is paid in accordance with the rates determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales; see the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales Annual Report on the Welsh government website (section 9, pages 30-31).

A lay person means a person who:

1. Is not a member or an officer of any local authority,
2. Has not been at any time in the period of twelve months ending with the date of appointment been a member or an officer of any local authority, and
3. Is not the spouse of civil partner of a member or an officer of any local authority.

In addition to satisfying this criteria, suitable applicants will need to be non-political with an understanding and commitment to the 7 Principles of Public Life on the Welsh Government (the Nolan Principles) and able to demonstrate the following qualities and characteristics:

• Interest and knowledge/experience of financial, risk and performance management, audit, accounting concepts and standards, and the regulatory regime within Wales;
• Objective and independent of mind with an unbiased attitude and ability to apply discretion;
• Supportive of good governance principles and their practical application towards the achievement of organisational objectives;
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication skills;
• Ability to understand and weigh up evidence and challenge respectfully.

A detailed knowledge of local government is not necessary although it would be expected that potential candidates would be interested in matters relating to public life and services.  From May 2022, a Lay Person will chair Governance and Audit Committees, so a willingness and ability to fulfil this role is desirable.

If you have an interest or experience in governance, audit, performance or risk management and want to help the Council ensure that it is governed effectively, please complete the below application form.

The closing date for applications is 1st November 2021.

Please send applications and any further queries to the below details.